Carole Robertson Center for Learning Nearly Doubles Early Childhood Services to Families in 16 Communities with $20 million Federal Grant, five-year award from Administration of Children and Families
CHICAGO, Ill. –Through a competitive national grant process, the Carole Robertson Center for Learning has earned a $20 million, five-year Early Head Start Expansion grant from the U.S. Administration of Children and Families (ACF).
The nonprofit known for high-quality education for children and youth will use the funds to nearly double Early Head Start services, providing comprehensive early education, health and nutrition, and pre-school readiness services to 185 additional infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. This is the first time in the Center’s history that it will be a direct grantee of ACF and will also continue to be a delegate of the city of Chicago.
“This funding gives us an opportunity to serve more Chicago children and families and provides critical early learning programs in a child’s earliest years to prepare for kindergarten and beyond” said Carole Robertson Center for Learning CEO Bela Moté.
“Early Head Start programs and services have always been essential for families in the communities we serve. So many here are essential workers who continue to support economic recovery for all, and we’re proud to put grants such as this to work for them,” she added.
The award designates the new Early Head Start funding to families in 16 communities: Albany Park, Ashburn, Auburn Gresham, Austin, Avalon Park, Brighton Park, Chatham, Clearing, Greater Grand Crossing, Little Village, North Lawndale, Portage Park, Roseland, South Lawndale, Washington Heights, and West Englewood through center-based, home-based, and family childcare program models. Carole Robertson Center for Learning currently serves more than 1,000 children. To serve new Early Head Start families, the grant will help the Center hire and train new staff members and partners.
Funding covers startup needs, such as new infant rooms, furnishings for outdoor environments, and training and technical assistance. Funding is awarded on an annual basis and continuation is subject to annual review.
The Carole Robertson Center for Learning pairs high-quality education for children with one-on-one support services to open opportunities for the whole family. Serving more than 1,000 children and their families across Chicago, we also partner with families to fortify their role as a child’s first teacher –because all children can learn when they have enough to eat, reliable housing and a healthy family. Continuing our founding families’ quest for equity and justice, we deliver the first-rate education denied Carole Robertson and countless others. Robertson was one of four young girls killed in the racist1963 bombing of a Birmingham, Alabama church. We honor her, with permission from her family.