Federal officials have granted a one-month extension of funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs in the area, the Bucks County Intermediate Unit announced Saturday afternoon.
The programs, which are operated by the intermediate unit, faced closure at the end of May due to the expiration of their current five-year grant and a delay in the decision for the next funding cycle.
The potential shutdown sparked community outrage after the news broke late last week.
According to the intermediate unit, the temporary funding will allow the programs to continue operating through the end of June. The current five-year grant, awarded in 2020, is set to expire on May 31.
The Bucks County Intermediate Unit submitted its application for the next five-year grant on Jan. 2 and is awaiting a decision from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families.
“This short-term funding ensures these essential services can continue for the remainder of the current school year while a decision on a longer-term grant award is still pending,” the Bucks County Intermediate Unit statement said.
It was unclear why federal officials initially did not approve the next round of funding before the current grant’s expiration. The yearly grant that funds the program is $5.8 million, according to the intermediate unit.
Dr. Mark Hoffman, executive director of the intermediate unit, expressed hope for a longer-term solution.
“We remain hopeful that a new, five-year competitive grant award will follow soon,” said Hoffman. “We’re grateful for the advocacy efforts of our federal legislators, our county legislative delegation, and, of course, our families and staff members. Our attention remains focused on securing a new five-year grant award. We stand ready, if awarded a new five-year grant, to provide Head Start programming for Bucks County students and families for years to come. We encourage our community to continue advocacy efforts in support of this pending application.”
The Office of Head Start confirmed this week that all eligible grant applications, including the intermediate unit, have been reviewed by an independent panel. Final award decisions are expected by the summer.
The intermediate unit has operated the Head Start program in Bucks County since 2015.
Officials said Head Start focuses on early learning, health, nutrition, and family services.
Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded initiatives focused on school readiness for low-income children.
The potential closure in Bucks County happened amid reports of possible nationwide cuts to the Head Start program under President Donald Trump’s administration.
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