WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman John P. Murtha (PA-12) announced today that the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc. (PIC) has been awarded a $322,575 federal ‘stimulus’ grant to increase the number of pre-school age children served by its Head Start program in Fayette County. 

The PIC currently receives federal funding to provide Head Start services to 534 pre-school age children and their families.  This represents only 30% of the population of children under five years of age in Fayette County who meet the eligibility guidelines for Head Start services.  The expansion funding will enable PIC to serve an additional 36 children and families in the county.

“The Head Start program promotes school readiness by helping preschoolers develop early reading and math skills they need to be successful,” said Murtha.  “This stimulus funding will help the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette to fill an identified need within our community, and is yet another example of federal funds working in Fayette County.”

According to Tim Yurcisin, president of PIC, “We are proud of the success of our Head Start program and look forward to expanding our services to accommodate additional children and families. We want to express our gratitude to Congressman Murtha and the Department of Health and Human Services for bringing stimulus dollars into our Fayette County communities.” 

PIC has been the grant administrator of the Head Start Program of Fayette County since 1994. Contracted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Fayette County Head Start program provides a coordinated delivery of services to 3 to 5 year old low-income children and their families. With 10 locations strategically located throughout Fayette County, the Head Start program promotes school readiness by enhancing physical and emotional development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, and social services to enrolled children and families. 

Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in February of this year.  The PIC obtained this funding through a competitive RFP process. 

For more information on the Head Start program in Fayette County, please contact Sandra Hall, Director Head Start/Early Head Start, at (724) 430-4818.

# # #