Rep. Pete Aguilar announced that the San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department will receive a grant of $51,157,373 from the US Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families. The funding will be used to continue providing early education and family support services to more than 6,000 children throughout San Bernardino County.

“One of my first jobs was as a Head Start teacher’s aide, where I learned firsthand how important early-childhood education is to future success. I’ve been proud to support Head Start programs throughout my career, and I’m thrilled to announce this funding which will help thousands of children and families throughout our region,” said Aguilar.

“We could not be more excited to receive the grant for our 2019-2020 Program Year. The grant will enable us to impact the lives of over 6,000 children and their families throughout all of San Bernardino County. In addition to providing high-quality education for the most vulnerable children in our county, the funds will be used to provide family support services with the goal of ending the cycle of poverty,” said Phalos Haire, Director of the San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department.

Aguilar sits on the House Appropriations Committee, where he serves as the committee’s Vice Chair. As a Member of the Committee, Aguilar has successfully advocated for Head Start funding increases for both the 2019 and 2020 fiscal years.