The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) announced today that it has been awarded a significant federal grant to expand its Early Head Start program, extending increased capacity for vital early childhood education services to 296 children across 16 Pennsylvania counties. The $6.9 million annual grant from the Office of Head Start, which includes an additional $1 million in first-year start-up funding, marks a substantial expansion from CCIU's previous program that served 152 children in three counties. 

 

"This expansion represents a transformative moment for early childhood education in Pennsylvania," said Cynthia Schofield, director of education services grants. "By increasing available slots from 152 to 296 children and expanding from three to potentially 16 counties, we're creating life-changing opportunities for hundreds of more families. We're especially excited about our ability to offer flexible programming that meets the diverse needs of families, ensuring that quality early childhood education is accessible to all who need it." 

 

The expanded program has the potential to serve families in Chester, Adams, Berks, Bucks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, and York counties. Services will be available in flexible formats, offering both six- and 10-hour daily programs to accommodate varying family schedules.

 

Early Head Start provides comprehensive support for infants and toddlers from birth to age three in low-income families. The program delivers early childhood education, health and developmental screenings, nutrition services, social services support, family engagement initiatives, and parenting resources. This comprehensive approach guarantees that both children and their families receive the support they need during these crucial early years of development. 

 

CCIU was selected through a competitive process conducted throughout the spring and summer of 2024. The organization will collaborate with local community partners and organizations to implement this expanded program, providing comprehensive support for participating families. 

 

Interested families can contact the CCIU at  610-344-5948 or BirthtoThree@cciu.org.