The Head Start and Early Head Start programs operated by the Bucks County Intermediate Unit are slated to end in the coming weeks due to uncertainty surrounding federal funding.
The Bucks County Intermediate Unit announced Thursday that the programs, which serve approximately 362 children and their families across Bucks County, are scheduled to close on May 31.
The closure comes as the intermediate unit has not received formal notification regarding the renewal of its annual $5.8 million federal grant, the intermediate unit said.
Over the past five years, the program has been supported by roughly $29 million in federal funds.
A statement from the Bucks County Intermediate Unit said that while the agency received informal communication on April 16 suggesting temporary funding might continue through the end of the current school year, no official written confirmation had been issued as of Thursday evening.
Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded initiatives administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The programs focus on school readiness through early learning, health and nutrition services, and family well-being.
The potential closure in Bucks County comes amid reports that President Donald Trump’s administration is considering cuts to the Head Start program nationwide.
While the administration proposes spending, federal programs are primarily funded through congressional appropriations. However, the Trump administration has faced criticism and lawsuits for implementing cuts to programs with already allocated funds.
The Bucks County Intermediate Unit has operated the Head Start program since 2015, with its most recent five-year grant awarded in 2020. The intermediate unit submitted a renewal application to the Administration for Children and Families on Jan. 2, but has yet to receive an official update or planning guidance, the county-wide organization said.
Without a formal grant award, the Bucks County Intermediate Unit stated it cannot legally continue the program beyond the end of May.
“Our commitment to early childhood education is unwavering,” said Dr. Mark Hoffman, executive director of the Bucks IU, in a statement. “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.”
On Tuesday, the Bucks County Intermediate Unit administrative team traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and staff members from the offices of Democratic U.S. Sen. John Fetterman and Republican U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick.
The Bucks County Intermediate Unit has also reached out to other elected officials, including the Bucks County state legislative delegation and the Bucks County Commissioners, seeking assistance and raising awareness about the potential loss of the program.
The possible end of the program has already sparked significant concern among local families who rely on its services.
“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.”
Alice Bowens, a parent of two children enrolled in the program, echoed those sentiments.
“The Head Start program has helped my children get ready for kindergarten and beyond,” she said. “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.”
Head Start was established in 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s efforts to support low-income Americans.
A spokesperson for Fitzpatrick’s office did not respond to a request for comment sent Thursday evening, and the media request form for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services displayed an error message on multiple attempts.
UPDATE: After this article was published, Fitzpatrick’s office posted on social media that Head Start was a “lifeline” he would fight for and he was making sure the Trump administration “understands the full weight of what this program means to our community.”
Advertisement
Convenient Legal Access to High Quality Cannabis Just A Few Minutes Away!
