Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-San Bernardino) announced that the San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department will receive over $48 million from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. The award of $48,821,894 will help fund early education programs for children from disadvantaged families throughout San Bernardino County.

“Affordable early education programs are not only essential for our kids’ school readiness, but for families who are looking for low-cost options to ensure their children are receiving high quality education, nutrition and care at a young age. Head Start plays a major role in making sure that all students, no matter their economic background, have a chance to succeed. I’m proud to announce this investment from the federal government into the futures of Inland Empire families,” said Rep. Aguilar.

“We are so pleased that the current administration has shown their bi-partisan support for early childhood education by providing additional funds to Head Start nationwide so that we can continue to provide high quality education, nutrition, and behavioral services to children 0 – 5, and educational and job services for their parents,” said Diana Alexander, Director of the San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department.

The funding is the result of an annual renewal from a grant that Rep. Aguilar announced in 2015, but is a roughly $6 million increase from previous years. The additional funding stems from Rep. Aguilar’s successful efforts to increase funding levels for the Head Start program as a Member of the House Appropriations Committee. Rep. Aguilar is a longtime supporter of early education programs, and served as a Head Start Teacher’s Aide while attending the University of Redlands.