WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that Head Start programs in Champaign County and Macon County will receive more than $10 million in federal support. The funding was awarded to the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission and Anna Waters Head Start from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

“Head Start programs provide critical support to our youngest students and their parents,” said Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski. “Today, I’m thrilled to announce that programs in Champaign and Macon Counties will be receiving more than $10 million in federal grant funding to help encourage a lifetime of learning for children in Central Illinois.”

A breakdown of the funding awarded can be found below:

• $7,975,926 to the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission
• $2,252,112 to Anna Waters Head Start

The Champaign County Regional Planning Commission’s Head Start program promotes kindergarten readiness to income-eligible families in Early Head Start, which serves infants, toddlers and expectant parents; and Head Start, which serves three- to five-year-old-children. They partner with parents to assist children in developing the knowledge and skills necessary for school success and lifelong well-being.

Anna Waters Head Start is a comprehensive child development program that provides service to the entire family. The program has provided services to children and their families in the Decatur-Macon County area for over 50 years. 

Head Start programs promote school readiness for young children from birth to age five by providing programming to enhance cognitive, social and emotional development. Head Start programs are operated by local nonprofit organizations, community action agencies and school districts. Currently, Head Start programs serve more than 36 million children across the United States.