Oakland has just been awarded $6.8 million in federal stimulus funding early childhood education programs.

According to Mayor Dellums' press secretary Paul Rose, there are two federal grants: $5.7 million to the City of Oakland, and $1.1 million to The Unity Council, based in Fruitvale. All of the money will support early Head Start programs.

Oakland can sure use this money. This year, the city faces a $19 million budget shortfall -- and the Oakland Unified School District is discussing how to shave $27.8 million from its budget due to reduced state funding.

The stimulus funding will be channeled through Mayor Ron Dellums, The Unity Council, council members Ignacio De La Fuente and Jean Quan, the Department of Human Services Head Start Program, community partners and other city staff.

The city expects that the funds will create 48 new jobs at Early Head Start sites, and provide childcare for 229 infants and toddlers ages 0-3. It will also support additional related early care and education services, including pregnant teen parent programs, held to be in community-based facilities and home-based settings.

“These funds simultaneously address two critical needs for Oakland residents,” said Mayor Dellums in a press release. “By providing much-needed jobs and child care services for vulnerable families, we can put people back to work, while relieving some of the pressure for families who are trying to meet the demands of their current employment and education needs.”
 
“With this grant award, we strengthen Oakland’s capacity to provide enhanced educational and social services to parents who desire a better life for themselves and their children,” said Gilda Gonzales, CEO of The Unity Council.
 
“Currently, the demand for quality infant care support continues to be greater than the supply. This expansion of the City of Oakland’s Early Head Start program, will give us the opportunity to help meet this demand through quality community-based programs,” said Andrea Youngdahl, Director of Human Services.
 
Community partners for these efforts include: Children’s Hospital and Research Center, Alameda County Office of Education, Brighter Beginnings, YMCA, Oakland Ready to Learn, and Lotus Bloom Child & Family Resource Center.