Scranton. Rep. Cartwright announces $9.5 Million for early childhood education in Pike and three other counties

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced this week that the Agency for Community EmPOWERment of NEPA has received $9,527,902 from the Department of Health and Human Services for their Head Start programs in Lackawanna, Wayne, Pike and Susquehanna counties.

Head Start provides low income families and children with high-quality, comprehensive early childhood education to prepare them for a successful transition to elementary school.

“Success in elementary school and beyond starts with a quality pre-school education,” Cartwright said in the press release detailing the award. “Thanks to organizations like the Agency for Community EmPOWERment, our youngest citizens have every opportunity to gain school-readiness skills and experiences regardless of their families’ income.”

Jim Wansacz, the executive director of the Agency for Community EmPOWERment, said he was proud of the work his agency to prepare children for their kindergarten education through Head Start programs.
“But that’s not all we do. We also provide wraparound services to many of the 1,200 families enrolled in our program,” Wansacz added. “I am grateful for Congressman Cartwright’s continued support of early childhood education. Thanks to this funding and his advocacy in Washington, we’re able to provide these essential services to families who need them most.”