DOYLESTOWN, PA — Due to the absence of formal notification regarding the renewal of its federal grant, the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) has announced that its Head Start and Early Head Start programs are scheduled to close on May 31.
Head Start and Early Head Start are federally-funded programs administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The programs support school readiness through early learning, health and nutrition services, and family well-being initiatives.
The Bucks Head Start program currently serves approximately 362 children and their families across Bucks County and employs 85 staff members.
Bucks IU has operated the Head Start program since 2015, with its most recent five-year grant awarded in 2020. A renewal application was submitted to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) on Jan. 2, but to date no official update or planning guidance has been provided, the iU said. And without a formal grant award, the Bucks IU cannot legally continue the program beyond May 31.
“Our commitment to early childhood education is unwavering,” said Dr. Mark Hoffman, Executive Director of the Bucks IU. “We remain in ongoing communication with our federal partners to understand what lies ahead and to ensure we are ready to resume services as soon as funding is confirmed.”
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On April 29, the Bucks IU Administrative Team traveled to Washington, D.C., where they met with Representative Brian Fitzpatrick and staff from the offices of U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick. They have also contacted other elected officials, including the Bucks County state legislative delegation and the Bucks County Commissioners, to request assistance and raise awareness.
The potential loss of the program has already raised significant concern among local families. “Without this program, I would not be able to work, my child wouldn’t get any social exposure, and we wouldn’t have made the friends we love,” said Megan Corlew, a parent of a current Head Start student. “My son has learned so much — from emotional regulation to jumping and dancing. Without this program, we’d be lost.”
“The Head Start program has helped my children get ready for kindergarten and beyond,” said Alice Bowens, a parent of two enrolled children. “My daughter now speaks more clearly, loves books, and looks forward to school every day. We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity this program has given our family.”
The Bucks IU Head Start program is funded by a $5.8 million annual federal grant, totaling approximately $29 million over five years. While the Bucks IU received informal communication on April 16 suggesting temporary funding might continue through end of this school year, no official written confirmation has been issued as of this release.