Cumberland, MD – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-MD) today announced that the City of Cumberland has received a $110,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the Allegany County Human Resources Development Commission (HRDC) Head Start Program. The new program will serve 47 children ages 0-5 years old from households with incomes at or below 100% poverty.
“From the very start, we need to give our children every opportunity to learn and succeed. Head Start programs work, helping students be better prepared for school. They should be expanded wherever possible,” said Senator Cardin. “Federal investment in the future of our children and their developmental success is where we should be putting our resources. Children who have participated in Head Start arrive at school better prepared and do better academically than children who do not attend Head Start. Cumberland and the region will benefit from this important partnership.”
“Head Start helps the children who are most in need to keep up with their age group in school,” said Senator Mikulski. “It gets children to the doctor to get immunizations or hearing checks. It provides nutritious meals for children who might otherwise go hungry. I’m a social worker. I’ve seen firsthand children whose lives were changed by a simple hearing aid. Programs like these can make all the difference in the world in the life of a child.”
“Head Start is a program that gives the youngest among us a jump start on learning. Education directly correlates with good citizenship, good jobs, and strong families. This funding will help to prepare better citizens and is a direct investment in our community’s youth,” said Cumberland Mayor, Brian K. Grim.
The City of Cumberland through Allegany County HRDC will be renovating an existing building in the 300-block of Seymour Street to support the new Head Start Program. The renovation of the Seymour Street property will remove existing blight, and will also place the new program centrally located to the participating families.
In addition to the $100,000 in ARC funds, state sources will provide $250,000, and local sources will provide an additional $200,000, bringing the total project funding to $560,000.
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