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(Image courtesy of CAO)
(Image courtesy of CAO)

CAO of WNY awarded $10 million-plus in Head Start funding for Niagara County

Submitted

Fri, Sep 17th 2021 09:50 am

Community Action Organization of WNY (CAO) has been awarded a five-year grant by the Office of Head Start to provide Head Start programming in Niagara County. CAO said it has a well-established reputation for enhancing the lives of children and families through its comprehensive child and family development program, which serves infants, toddlers, pregnant women, preschools, and their families.

"CAO is excited to provide Head Start services to 200 children and families throughout Niagara County, specifically in Lockport, Newfane and North Tonawanda,” said Chelsea White, executive VP/chief of education. “CAO is committed to providing high-quality services that promote school readiness by enhancing children's social and cognitive development through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services for enrolled children and families. " 

CAO CEO Thomas Kim welcomed the news and said he is looking forward to working with community partners to improve the delivery of valuable services to so many families in Niagara County: "CAO Head Start does not only provide premier early childhood education for children, but it also provides career opportunities for families seeking to serve in the human service and educational field.

“I am proud of the CAO Head Start team for spearheading early childhood development in this region while continuously providing high-quality services with innovation and diligence.”

CAO, OHS and Administration for Children and Families Region 2 and CDI said they are committed to a seamless transition and continuity of services, and want to assure families in Niagara County that Head Start services will continue in their community. 

CAO was designated in 1965 as the official antipoverty agency for Erie County with a mission to serve the unmet needs of the low-income populations. Today, CAO serves more than 50,000 families and individuals within Erie and Niagara counties through various programs and services. Visit caowny.org for more information.

CAO Head Start/Early Head Start provides comprehensive early childhood and human services to infants, toddlers, preschoolers and pregnant women throughout Western New York. The mission of the program is to provide a learning environment that supports children’s growth and development through improved language, literacy and numeracy skills along with a positive social setting. Visit caowny.org/head-start-early-head-start/ for more information.

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