Stimulus gives a Head Start

Stimulus funds are coming to Aiken County to help some of our youngest residents get better prepared for entry into their educational world.

Funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are coming to the local Head Start office to allow for the enrollment of 41 new students into the program. The new students are divided between the Aiken office and the Gloverville center.

With an allowance of $300,000 per year for the two years of the grant, the local Head Start office will be able to help children on the waiting list for services. Head Start's mission statement says it "is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families."

Making it through the Head Start program will be a real help. Assisting an additional 41 children to make the leap to school settings and expectations may make a huge difference in their lives. While many items in the stimulus program raise questions as to their importance, few can criticize the need for students to be prepared for learning when they get to school age. Head Start attacks the core issue at the heart of much of South Carolina's economic trouble - poverty and lack of preparation for school.

The stimulus grant for Head Start will add to the rolls of Head Start and give a jump start to children who otherwise might be lost when they arrive at school.