Congresswoman Matsui Announces $225,000 for Enhanced Learning of Pre-K Children in Sacramento

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 23, 2010

CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163

CA Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-05) announced that the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA) has been awarded $225,000 through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) to provide coaching and supportive services to Head Start teachers in Sacramento. Distributed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through its Head Start Training and Technical Assistance program, this funding will be used to fill the gap in Sacramento County Head Start professional development resources used to improve the skill sets and proficiency of its teachers.

I am delighted that the Federal government has awarded SETA this funding to enhance the skills and quality of its Head Start teachers, said Congresswoman Matsui. This funding is helping to provide low-income, pre-K students with well-trained teachers who can help send them into kindergarten with an important foundation of skills.

By providing coaching and mentoring services, Head Start teachers will increase their knowledge of intentional teaching leading to greater gains in children's academic success and school readiness, said Denise Lee, Deputy Director for SETA Head Start.

This award was made possible by $25 million appropriated through the Recovery Act, which was supported by Congresswoman Matsui in Congress, to increase the number of children participating in Head Start. The objective of the Head Start program is to enhance the cognitive, social and emotional development of low-income children through comprehensive health, educational, nutritional, and social services.

To see a full list of Recovery Act projects at work throughout Sacramento, please visit www.matsui.house.gov/recovery.