PA Secretaries Dallas and Rivera Discuss Importance of Early Education with Community Innovation Zone Grantee
Sep 09, 2015, 12:42 ET
HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Human Services Secretary Ted Dallas and Department of Education Secretary Pedro A. Rivera today visited Downey Elementary School in the Harrisburg School District which is operating a successful Head Start program and Parents and Partners Initiative, as part of an Early Childhood Education Community Innovation Zone grant.
The Parents and Partners Initiative is a joint project between The Foundation for Enhancing Communities and the Harrisburg School District which both received a Community Innovation Zone grant, part of Pennsylvania's Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The goal of the Parents and Partners program is to help parents become better teachers for their children at home and better advocates for their children when they enter the classroom.
"High-quality early education is critical to children's success in school and in life," said Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Pedro Rivera. "We are pleased that more than 100 children have been served by Head Start and Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts in this school. With the help of the Early Childhood Education Community Innovation Zone grant, this community is leveraging state and local resources to provide the best possible start for these children."
Secretaries Dallas and Rivera were joined by U.S. Department of Education Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Early Learning Dr. Libby Doggett and Janice R. Black, President and CEO of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, who reinforced the importance of early education in our communities and the need for buy-in from multiple stakeholders to make these programs a success.
"Communities must work together to support vulnerable children and families," said Dallas. "I'm grateful to see the Parents and Partners program flourishing with the help of community partners, because it's addressing a vital need in our capital region, providing support and education to families that need it most."
Investing in high-quality early childhood programs, is a major component of Governor Wolf's education agenda and he has proposed that $494 million be allocated in the 2015-16 state budget for early childhood education, a $120 million increase from last year's budget.
MEDIA CONTACT: Nicole Reigelman, PDE, 717-783-9802
Kait Gillis, DHS, 717-425-7606
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Human Services; Pennsylvania Department of Education
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