Booker, Menendez announce $1.5M to fund Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-NJ) announced over $23 million in federal funding to support early childhood programs across the state, including allocating $1.5 towards the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation.
“All children, regardless of zip code, are entitled to high-quality, early childhood education that gives them the tools necessary to achieve their dreams,” Menendez said in a statement. “This federal funding will provide New Jersey students the opportunities to create, learn and grow in an ever-changing society.”
“Quality early education programs like Head Start are the key to cultivating the skills children need to ensure future success,” added Booker.
“In New Jersey, Head Start programs have provided engaging opportunities for our youngest students to create, learn, and explore. This federal funding will help provide students the tools they need to reach their full potential and succeed well into the future.”
The Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation provides services to low-income families, and disabled and elderly residents living in Hudson County.
The Head Start initiative provides comprehensive child development programs for low-income children and their families.
The program has been shown to improve educational outcomes for participating students, including by increasing rates of high school graduation and college attendance.
Community organizations are awarded grants to provide Head Start services in their community through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.