CARES Act Gives Additional Funding For ICAA Partnership Programs

Press Release

Washburn County – CARES Act Gives Additional Funding for ICAA Head Start and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) programs. Indianhead Community Action Agency (ICAA) has received $374,128 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. These funds will support Head Start and EHS-CCP services to low-income children under the age of 5 in Burnett, Clark, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, and Washburn Counties.

Nationally, $750 million has been designated for Head Start programs to support preventative, preparedness, and response activities related to the coronavirus through the CARES Act. To support low-income children who have experienced a disruption of services during this time, programs will provide supplemental summer Head Start programs as they are able. Funds will be released directly to all 1,600 local Head Start and Early Head Start programs, including tribal programs, in every state and territory beginning this week.

"President Trump has secured more than $6 billion in funding to help supplement human services during this crisis," said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. "This $750 million for Head Start will help ensure that children and families who rely on the program continue receiving services like meals, health screenings, and pre-K education where possible. As we move toward safely reopening, it only grows more important that we support vulnerable families and children whose lives have been disrupted by the virus and its economic effects."

"We know that investing in programs that use a whole family approach to learning and development can be pivotal to the success of children and families," said Lynn Johnson, assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families. "During this pandemic, it is important to support programs that enrich and enlighten children, families, and communities as they work towards their goals and make concentrated efforts to improve their future post the pandemic."

The ICAA Head Start and EHS-CCP programs plan to use the CARES Act funding to provide critical support to enrolled children and families. "During this crisis, we have been able to provide crisis response to our families, including, mental wellness support, and connection to community resources," said Jennifer Shearer, ICAA CEO. Michelle Stout, ICAA Head Start Director stated, “ICAA plans to provide virtual summer programing to provide a full range of comprehensive services to the extent possible, with a focus on preparing children for the coming school year. In addition, we will be training all our staff in infectious disease management as we prepare to reopen our classrooms. The health and safety of each child in our care is our highest priority."

ICAA Head Start is currently recruiting children and families for fall enrollment. Contact us at 715-532-4222.

Find additional information about Head Start programming specific to this public health crisis on the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center website: https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/coronavirus

For more information about ICAA, Head Start, and EHS-CCP call 715-532-4222 or visit www.indianheadcaa.org.

About ICAA: Indianhead Community Action Agency, Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 Charitable Organization and an equal opportunity employer and provider operating under an Affirmative Action plan.