U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded $544,440 to the Kentucky Communities Economic Opportunity Council in Barbourville to administer the Head Start program.

“Head Start gives children the boost they need in their formative years,” said Rogers. “Knox County Head Start is well deserving of this grant as they provide new opportunities for our children and grandchildren. By reaching out to our young children and providing them with skills they need to excel at school as they grow older, we are raising healthy, well-educated children who grow up ready to work, raise families and lead our region forward.”

Head Start provides comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged families, with a special focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school. This national initiative also promotes school readiness by enhancing the development of children through educational, health and nutritional services.

The funds go to the Kentucky Communities Economic Opportunity Council (KCEOC). KCEOC is a private, non-profit corporation that runs a variety of community service programs and the federal funds will go towards supplementing Head Start programs and making them more available across the region. KCEOC has a long history of operating Head Start Programs since Head Start was launched in 1965. In addition to Knox County, KCEOC also serves Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Laurel and Rockcastle Counties.

As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rogers works to secure funding for important initiatives in the fifth Congressional district.