$2 Million Of American Rescue Plan Heads To Austin Child Programs

AUSTIN, TX — More than $2 million of American Rescue Plan funding will go to Child Inc. and Austin ISD to fund their work providing comprehensive early childhood needs.

U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) announced Monday the funding will go to Austin Start Programs, which provides early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and families.

Head Start has a long history, stretching back to its founding by former President Lyndon Baines Johnson, authorities said.

This funding was secured through the American Rescue Plan, which was adopted over the objection of every Texas Republican member, officials said.

“This relief funding will equip Austin’s Head Start programs, support children and help parents work without shouldering crushing child care costs—costs which I know are prohibitive for so many families right now," Doggett said. "We are all better off when the next generation is happy and healthy, and Libby (wife) and I are excited to see local programs get backup in their longtime good work, and make good use of these Rescue funds.”

An estimated $1,787,571 will go to Child Inc. and $244,086 will go to Austin ISD, authorities said.

Child Inc Head Start, serves over 1,400 families throughout Travis County on an annual basis. Since 1972, Child Inc has provided early childhood development and support services in the areas of early learning, health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities and parental involvement programs for our most vulnerable families with children ages birth to five, officials said.

“Our goal for this funding is to leverage the award to have long lasting positive impacts for our families and community. We know first-hand how our lower income populations have been disproportionally impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic and when we welcome back our families for in person learning this August they will need additional support," said Child Inc Executive Director. "With innovative programming such as our parent training program we hope to provide training for past and current Head Start parents to fill positions currently available in this sector.”