[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 54 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E809]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CITIZENS FOR CITIZENS HEAD START PROGRAM WINS AWARD

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                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2005

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, nothing that we do is more 
important than trying to provide a fair start in life for young people 
born into difficult economic circumstances. The Head Start and Early 
Head Start programs are therefore among the most valued that we have. I 
was pleased but not surprised to be informed that the version of these 
programs run by the Fall River Community Action Group, Citizens For 
Citizens, received the Excellence Award from the Department of Health 
and Human Services. Citizens For Citizens is an extraordinarily 
creative organization, run by dedicated people with a deep commitment 
to helping others. This recognition of the Head Start program is just 
an example of the generally excellent work that Citizens For Citizens 
does, and on the occasion of this, I want to congratulate Director Neil 
Lynch and all of those who work with him in this important endeavor.
  Mr. Speaker, the Fall River Herald News last month ran an article 
about this program and the good work that it does. It is important for 
people to see examples of successful federal programs, and I therefore 
ask that this article from the Fall River Herald News be printed here.

                 [From the Herald News, Mar. 24, 2005]

      CFC Head Start Program Receives Program of Excellence Award

       Fall River.--Citizens for Citizens' Head Start and Early 
     Head Start program has once again received the U.S. 
     Department of Health's Program of Excellence Award following 
     an extensive study of all aspects of the operation by a team 
     of 12 federal reviewers.
       Neil Lynch, CFC Head Start director, said that only two 
     other programs in Massachusetts received the Program of 
     Excellence Award. The award was presented at a regional 
     conference in Nashua, N.H.
       The reviews are conducted every three years and the highest 
     rating is a repeat of the study results in 2001. The federal 
     reviewers determined that CFC Head Start meets and surpasses 
     every federal performance standard.
       ``The team from the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
     Services closely scrutinized us in how effectively we were 
     performing in the areas of education, quality health and 
     nutrition, disabilities, social services, transportation and 
     parent involvement,'' said Lynch.
       He noted that the federal reviewers also met with community 
     partners, including the public schools, social service 
     agencies, parents, policy council members and the CFC board.
       ``I am very proud of our staff for receiving the Program of 
     Excellence Award for the second consecutive time,'' said 
     Lynch.
       ``The staff and the parents of Head Start children devote a 
     great deal of effort into the programs we provide in order to 
     ensure the highest quality of early childhood education 
     possible,'' he added.
       CFC operates 21 Head Start classes in Greater Fall River 
     and an Early Head Start and home-based program on Second 
     Street.
       The federal reviewers determined CFC Head Start and Early 
     Head Start accomplished the following:
       --All curricula in place are based upon sound child 
     development principles and presented in creative learning 
     methods.
       --Parents are actively involved in curriculum planning 
     through a policy council, which is informed of current 
     decisions affecting service delivery, program policies and 
     procedures.
       --Successful family partnership built.
       --Rapport between staff and parents created trust and 
     helped identify individual needs.
       --Collaboration is excellent between area health and dental 
     providers, schools, colleges and pediatric specialists.
       --General layout of classrooms are safe, confortable and 
     fully accessible.
       Mark A. Sullivan Jr., executive director of CFC, said Head 
     Start is a valuable learning resource for children and that 
     since its inception it has successfully prepared millions of 
     children to enter school on a level playing field.
       ``I am very proud of the administrators of CFC's Head 
     Start, the staff and especially the parents who are closely 
     involved with the program to ensure their children get a 
     quality learning experience,'' said Sullivan.

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