Wednesday, Apr 29, 2020

LOWELL, MA  - Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, announced $5,634,382 in federal Head Start funding for the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council (GLCAC). This five-year grant was awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Head Start.

“The coronavirus pandemic has placed tremendous stress on families across our state, and our children are not immune. We owe it to the next generation of students to ensure that they have every tool available to help them succeed both inside and outside of the classroom. This valuable federal investment will help the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council fulfill their mission to prepare children to hit the ground running as they enter the next phases of their education,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan.

“We are gratified to be able to continue our work educating the youngest in our community with the receipt of this five year Head Start grant. We are very grateful for the support of our Congresswoman Lori Trahan, whose advocacy and work in Congress helps to support the wellbeing of those of us who have the least,” saidEvelyn Friedman, Executive Director of the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council.

Congresswoman Lori Trahan has used her position as a member of the House Education and Labor Committee to advocate for increased funding for Head Start. In negotiations over Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 appropriations, Trahan successfully requested increased funding for Head Start. The program received $11.6 billion in funding for FY2020, an increase of $1.5 billion from the year before. Trahan continues to advocate for additional funding for this important program, having supported a similar request for increased Head Start funding in FY2021 appropriations.

This grant funding will help GLCAC serve 459 preschool children between the ages of 3 to 4 years old and 48 Early Head Start children aged 15 months to 35 months at four centers in Lawrence and one in Methuen. GLCAC offers a wide array of services to the most vulnerable in the Greater Lawrence area, including: health and mental health services, professional development, transportation, meals, case management, family engagement, parent training, transition to kindergarten, and more. Each year, the facility serves 29,000 individuals with the goal that people will take advantage of opportunities to achieve self-sufficiency and lift themselves out of poverty.