Macon Reporter

Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) and Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) said last month that $2.59 million in federal funding is headed to the Decatur-Macon County Opportunities Corp. (DMCOC).

The funding is part of a $90.9 million Illinois grant awarded to the Head Start Early programs across the state.

“This federal funding helps ensure that children throughout Illinois have the strong educational foundation they need to succeed from elementary school to college and beyond,” Durbin said in the DMCOC release.

DMCOC is a non-profit organization that operates anti-poverty initiatives through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The grants are not new funding but rather a renewal of annual contributions, Executive Director Tara Murray said in the release.

The Head Start program is a development plan that works with children ages 3 to 5, providing healthy meals and making sure they receive the medical attention they need to stay up to date on services.

“It’s different from your typical pre-K or daycare,” Murray said. “Because it is really comprehensive where we support the entire family along with the family to make sure the child is ready for kindergarten.”

Former President Lyndon B. Johnson started it in 1965 to advance school preparation for children in low-income families.

Most of the $90.9 million funding will be allocated to Chicago groups. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet, Riverbend Head Start and Family Services in Alton, Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council in Steeleville, Southern Seven Health Department in Ullin and B.C.M.W. Community Services, Inc. in Centralia are some groups receiving funding, the release said.

“When we invest in childhood education and parental support services, we help provide children with the tools they need to succeed both in and outside of the classroom,” Duckworth said.