AFTER RITA, HEAD START AID EXTENDED TO TEXAS, AND HEAD START RELIEF CENTER ESTABLISHED
National Head Start Association Expands Network Created in Response to Hurricane Katrina
WASHINGTON,
D.C.///September 29, 2005// - With major support from Johnson & Johnson, the National Head Start Association (NHSA) is reaching out to Texas Head Start programs and families recovering from Hurricane Rita. The organization has also consolidated its extensive disaster relief resources into a singular online Head Start Hurricane Relief Center that can be found at www.nhsa.org.
Nearly three weeks ago, NHSA began collaborating with a central program in each state affected by Hurricane Katrina - Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The in-state programs serve as local clearinghouses and resource centers for affected programs. Today, one of Texas’ premiere Head Start programs is added to this list:
Texas - William Smith Sr., Tri-County CDC Inc., 10850 Wilcrest #900, Houston, TX 77099 Contact: Helen Wright Phone: (281) 731-5391 Fax: (281) 242-8202 E-mail: hrw121167@aol.com
Louisiana - CDCA/St. Landry Parish Head Start Program, 1716 West Landry Street P.O. Drawer 910, Opelousas, LA 70571-0910 Contact: Barbara Pickney or Clyde George Phone: (337) 942-9669 Fax: (337) 942-9875 E-mail: bpickney@stlandryheadstart.org or cgeorge@stlandryheadstart.org
Mississippi - Bolivar County Community Action Agency, 810 East Sunflower Road, Suite 120, Eastgate Center Cleveland, MS 38732-2800 Contact: Fabian Kellingworth Phone: (662) 846-1491 Fax: (662) 843-0173 E-mail: capdir@panola.com
Alabama - JCCEO Head Start, 300 8th Avenue West, Birmingham, AL 35204-3039 Contact: Gayle Cunningham Phone: (205) 327-7500 Fax: (205) 327-7549 E-mail: gcunningham@jcceo.org
These Head Start grantees are distributing food, cash, and goods to Head Start families, staff, and others affected by the storms. Contributions are greatly needed and are 100 percent tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to one or more of the four agencies listed above. Please note on the check that it is for “hurricane relief.”
Today, NHSA also announces the creation of the Head Start Hurricane Relief Center. This center allows users to quickly and easily apply for assistance from NHSA’s Disaster Relief Fund, find other recovery resources, and donate to the fund.
NHSA President and CEO Sarah Greene said, “We are fortunate that Rita did not bring more damage than it did, but, no doubt, it created an even greater need for aid in the Gulf Coast. Because of supporters like Johnson & Johnson, NHSA and our partnering programs are in a position to help. We’re going to do whatever it takes to get affected Head Start programs and families back on their feet.”
ABOUT NHSA
The National Head Start Association is a private, not-for-profit membership organization dedicated exclusively to meeting the needs of Head Start children and their families. It represents more than one million children, 200,000 staff and 2,700 Head Start programs in the United States. The Association provides support for the entire Head Start community by advocating for policies that strengthen services to Head Start children and their families; by providing extensive training and professional development to Head Start staff; and by developing and disseminating research, information, and resources that enrich Head Start program delivery.
CONTACT:Bridget Boel or bboel@nhsa.org.
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