Bill would aid Head Start here

A newly passed piece of federal legislation will help 10,000 additional children throughout the nation receive a Head Start.
Improving Head State Act passed with a vote of 365 to 48. For 2008, it adds an additional $450 million to the program for a total of $7.3 billion.
“Everyday, Head Start program throughout New York makes it possible for our children to receive the best education possible in school,” said Congressmember Joseph Crowley. “This bipartisan bill will expand and improve the successful Head Start early childhood education program, which raises children’s achievement and prepares them for a better future.”
Other ways in which the Improving Head Start Act will help is by improving the quality of its workforce, updating standards and assessments, accountability increases, allowing portions of grant money to be used for Early Head Start, and having more coordination among Head Start, State child care programs and local child care programs.
The Improving Head Start Act will now be sent to the Senate, who is expected to approve it next month. It will then be given to President George W. Bush to sign into law.
The Head Start providers in Queens are Terese Cervini (Corona), Bobov Worldwide Head Start/Bayside Lutheran (Flushing), Astoria Blue Feather Head Start, Long Island City High School, Queens Child Guidance Center (Corona, Elmhurst, Woodside) and the Andrew Landi Center (L.I. City).