CONGRESSMAN BISHOP ANNOUNCES $19.9 MILLION HEAD START INVESTMENT IN CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY CHILDREN’S FUTURE
COLUMBUS, Ga. – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is awarding a $19,987,665 Head Start grant to the Enrichment Services Program, Inc. (ESP) in Columbus, Georgia. Head Start grants are used to promote school readiness for children from birth to five years old who come from low-income families.
“I am pleased to announce this Head Start grant for Enrichment Services Program, Inc. so that it can continue to offer Head Start programming for families in the Chattahoochee Valley. Head Start has helped us fight the war on poverty since LBJ’s administration and the data shows that making investments in the well-being of our children increases their chances for success later in life,” said Congressman Bishop. “This is why I will continue to fight in Congress to support programs like Head Start so that community organizations, like Enrichment Services, have a reliable partner in helping shape a brighter future for our families in Middle and Southwest Georgia.”
“This federal (continuation) award will allow the Enrichment Services Program to continue to provide Early Head Start and Head Start services to over 1,300 children, and their families, in our service area. Children will be prepared to be successful in school and life while their families continue their journey towards economic stability,” said Belva Dorsey-Mott, CEO of Enrichment Services Program, Inc. “We appreciate Congressman Bishop’s ongoing support and the support of our other Congressional Members. To learn more about Enrichment Services Program, please visit our website at enrichmentservices.org.”
Head Start is a program administered through the Administration for Children and Families. Since 1965, it has served over 38 million children. Congressman Bishop, a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, has consistently supported strong funding for the Head Start program.
According to a 2022 report by the Brookings Institute, Head Start had a pronounced, positive effect on the educational and economic success of children in the program. Head Start participants were more likely to earn a four-year college degree and secure employment, and they are less likely to face poverty or need public assistance later in life.
Enrichment Services Program, Inc. (ESP) was established in 1965, is based in Columbus and serves approximately 6,000 low to moderate income people annually throughout 11 counties. HHS has previously granted $21.1 million to Enrichment Services Program, Inc. to support services that promote healthy prenatal outcomes, enhance the development of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, and promote healthy family functioning. ESP provides early childhood services in Chattahoochee, Clay, Harris, Meriwether, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Russell (Alabama), Stewart, Talbot, and Troup Counties.
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PHOTO CAPTION: Congressman Bishop meets with Enrichment Services Program, Inc. when they visited his office in Washington, DC this past March