Sorensen Announces Over $1.6 Million for Early Childhood Education in Northwestern Illinois

FREEPORT, IL – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is announcing $1,654,296 in federal grant funding for Head Start education programs in Northwestern Illinois. 

"Early childhood education is one of the most critical investments we can make to level the playing field and prepare our children for success," said Sorensen. "As a result of this funding for Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency, our children in Northwestern Illinois will be given the tools they need to reach their full potential." 

“Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency is very pleased to receive the notice regarding the $1,654,296 grant for our Head Start Program. The funding will be used to serve income eligible children and their families through the Head Start Preschool Program for children 3 to 5 years of age. In the near future, we are making plans to initiate an Early Head Start Program.  Both Head Start and Early Head Start programs are free to all enrolled families.  Both programs are federally funded and designed to promote school readiness for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.  Early Head Start programs support pregnant women and families with children 3 years of age and younger,” NICAA Head Start Director Stephanie Lewis and Executive Director Marcia Derrer said in a statement. 

This grant was awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency to administer Head Start programming in the Freeport area. 

Head Start is a program within HHS that provides comprehensive early childhood education services to children from low-income families. 

Congressman Eric Sorensen is the first openly LGBTQ person elected to represent Illinois at the federal level and is a member of the New Democrat Coalition. He serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal. 

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