Times-Tribune Staff Report
Nearly $2.8 million in federal grants will be used for an expansion of KCEOC’s Early Head Start program that will create 12 new jobs in Knox and Laurel counties and serve an additional 38 low-income, preschool-aged children, according to a press release from the community action agency.
The expansion is due to a nearly $1.6 million initial federal grant. An additional federal grant of nearly $1.2 million will be awarded in September 2010, the release stated.
Early Head Start promotes school readiness of low-income families by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional and social services with an emphasis on parent involvement.
KCEOC’s Head Start Program was created in 1965. The Early Head Start Program has been serving expecting mothers and infants from birth to 3 years since 1997. EHS provides both center-based and home-based options for participating children and families.
The KCEOC Early Head Start Expansion will allow 38 additional children and families in Knox and Laurel counties to participate in the program and will create 12 additional staff positions.
The expansion will be implemented in early January 2010.
