CONGRESSMAN GONZALEZ ANNOUNCES $7.7 MILLION FOR UTRGV TO CONTINUE EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM 

MCALLEN, TX – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) will be receiving $7.7 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to continue the Head Start program that provides essential childcare for children up to three years old from low-income households.

"Programs like Early Head Start provide critical education and childcare for children across the South Texas," stated Congressman Gonzalez. "I want to thank UTRGV for their dedication to offering and improving this program. It is vital that our children have access to early education preparing them the foundation to be successful later in life."

UTRGV President Guy Bailey stated this is the continuation of a federal grant awarded to UTRGV in 2019. The Early Head Start Program and its partners are crucial resources for many Rio Grande Valley families. Whorely on the Early Head Start Program and its network of partners.

"Early Head Start allows us to reach toddlers and very young children with critical early education," Bailey said. "The program helps children build language and other skills that will pave the path to high school, university, and eventually, the job market. We thank the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with Congressman Gonzalez and all our legislators, for their continued support."

HHS's Administration for Children and Families-Office of Head Start, along with the Office of Head Start, awarded the grant to the UTRGV Early Head Start-Child Care Program, which partners with the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA) and childcare centers in the area to provide comprehensive childcare services.

Services provided include language development, school readiness and self-sufficiency for low-income families and expectant mothers. Those families are engaged in programs like GED and other work skills opportunities.

For more information on UTRGV-PSJA Early Head Start Child Care Partner Program, contact hilda.medrano@utrgv.edu or call (956) 665-3891.

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