SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The following information was released by the office of California Rep. Doris Matsui:
Today, Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-Sacramento) announced that more than $2.7 million in federal funding has been awarded to the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA) for its Head Start program. Local Head Start programs improve the lives of low-income children by providing quality comprehensive child development services that are family focused, including education, health, nutrition and mental health. The $2,765,155 awarded today will be used to expand its preschool services and to make health and safety improvements at its Early Learning Centers.
The funding has been made possible in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that Rep. Matsui voted for earlier this year, and will be distributed through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The funding has been awarded as two grants, the first for $1,730,722 through an HHS discretionary grant program, and the second for $1,034,433, through the Recovery Act. Both grants will be distributed immediately.
'SETA will be able to provide preschool services to an additional 150 local children and families with this important new infusion of funding,' said Congresswoman Matsui. 'It is expected to result in an additional 17 jobs created or retained in our community, as well as make health and safety improvements at its Early Learning Centers. These include repairs to classroom flooring, installing carpeting, fixing and upgrading playground structures, making vital repairs to location restrooms.'
'SETA is very excited to receive this funding,' said Kathy Kossick, Executive Director of the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency. 'Through the Stimulus and Department of Health and Human Services, SETA is able to provide more care to Sacramento area preschool aged children and give them a safe and healthy place to learn and play.'
To see recovery funds that have been allocated throughout Sacramento, visit www.matsui.house.gov/recovery for a complete list and interactive Google Map.
