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SCHENECTADY
Parsons gets $1.2M for Early Head Start effort
Stimulus grant will add more children to program
BY MICHAEL GOOT Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Michael Goot at 395-3105 or mgoot@dailygazette.net.

    Another 30 to 35 local children will be able to get into the Early Head Start program because of a $1.2 million federal stimulus grant.
    The Parsons Child and Family Center is receiving the money over two years, as well as $60,000 in in-kind contributions from the Schenectady Foundation. The foundation had donated $120,000 to Parsons earlier in the year.
    Early Head Start is for children from birth to age 3 to prepare them for other childhood learning programs. Currently, the center has 27 children in day care and sees another 47 in visits at home. Parsons Child and Family Center Chief Executive Officer Ray Schimmer said the program allows students to get into public schools with the best possible chance to do well.
    “Our workers go into the homes and we work with the families on basic child care techniques and, most importantly, help the families learn how to stimulate the kids,” he said.
    Literacy is a big focus, Schimmer said. “If we can get the parents reading to the children, we improve the likelihood that kids are going to learn how to read early on and succeed,” he said.
    During the day care program, Parsons focuses on helping children with social skills and getting them get ready for school by teaching about numbers and the concept of books, Schimmer said.
    “We’re able to give these kids the same kind of start that other kids might have in day care programs,” he said.
    About 14 positions would be added with this grant, according to Charlie Vatalaro, a spokesman for Parsons. ..............................>>>>.............>>>>..................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01202&AppName=1

And what happens when the 'grants' stop coming in? Which is sure to happen as this recession continues on. 'Just raise taxes"!!