WASHINGTON – The US Department of Health and Human Services has allocated over $4 million to Astor Services for Children & Families for Head Start and Early Head Start Programs in Dutchess County. The money comes from federal stimulus funds.

The funding will provide early child education to children in Dutchess and create jobs.

The primary purpose of Head Start and Early Head Start programs is to provide comprehensive child development programs for children at birth to age five, pregnant women and families. The programs are child-focused and have the goal of getting low income children ready for school.

Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand made the announcement.