TRUMBULL COUNTY, OH – Today, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will award the Trumbull Community Action Program $3,256,100 in grant funding for its Head Start Programs. 

“Head Start programs provide vital services, such as parenting support, tailored learning activities, and mental health resources, to some of our most vulnerable children and parents,” said Congressman Joyce. “This funding will help the organization prepare young children with necessary skills to excel in their education and future endeavors, as Head Start graduates are more likely than their peers to graduate high school, get a job, and stay healthy. I’m proud to support this program and look forward to ensuring it continues to receive adequate funding to help the children and families in our communities succeed.”

Head Start is a free school readiness program available to young children from low-income families through agencies in their local community. Head Start programs support the comprehensive development of children from birth to age 5, in centers, childcare partner locations, and in their own homes. Importantly, Head Start involves the participation of the whole family in the development and education of the child in preparation for their transition to kindergarten. 

Earlier this year, Congressman Joyce re-introduced legislation to terminate the Head Start mask and vaccine mandate. The Ending Mandates on Educators Act would prohibit the federal government from continuing to enforce the mandate, a federal order that the National Head Start Association has expressed concerns is undermining Head Start programs across the country by driving agency employees to leave their jobs in the face of the mandate. At a time when recruitment and retention of employees is already a challenge for Head Start agencies in Ohio, this burdensome mandate served only to exacerbate the issue and jeopardize vulnerable children’s access to a quality education. A federal judge in Texas recently vacated the mandate, fully ending its enforcement and implementation.  

To learn more about the Trumbull County Community Action Agency’s Head Start program, click here.