In a significant development aimed at enhancing early childhood education in Pennsylvania, the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) has secured a substantial federal grant of $6.9 million annually. This sum is further supplemented by an additional $1 million in start-up funding for the inaugural year. The infusion of these funds will facilitate a major expansion of the Early Head Start program, which previously served 152 children across three counties. Now, with this new funding, the program will broaden its reach to support a total of 296 children in 16 counties, providing vital early childhood services to infants and toddlers from low-income families.
The expansion aims to deliver comprehensive support, including education, health screenings, nutrition, social services, family engagement, and parenting resources—areas critical for the development of young children. Cynthia Schofield, the program’s director, emphasized the transformative nature of this expansion. She particularly highlighted the increase in available slots and the program’s extension into additional counties as pivotal moments for early childhood education in Pennsylvania. Among the program’s new features will be flexible formats, offering both six- and ten-hour daily sessions to better accommodate the diverse needs of families participating in the initiative.
Counties Benefiting from the Expansion
With the expanded reach, several counties are set to benefit from the Early Head Start program’s services. This includes the counties of Chester, Adams, Berks, Bucks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, and York. The selection of CCIU for this significant grant followed a highly competitive process conducted during the spring and summer of 2024. This process ensured that the grantee was well-prepared to manage the program’s expansion and meet the needs of an increasing number of families in various regions.
A key aspect of the implementation will involve forming partnerships with local community organizations. These partnerships are essential for ensuring that the expanded program provides comprehensive, tailored support to families and children. By working closely with community entities, CCIU aims to create a cohesive network of resources that bolster early childhood education and developmental services. This collaborative approach is expected to enhance the effectiveness of the program and make a meaningful impact on the lives of those it serves.
Commitment to Early Childhood Education
In a significant step forward for early childhood education in Pennsylvania, the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) has secured a federal grant of $6.9 million per year, plus an additional $1 million in start-up funding for its inaugural year. This funding will enable a major expansion of the Early Head Start program, which previously served 152 children across three counties. With the new funds, the program will now support 296 children in 16 counties, offering essential early childhood services to infants and toddlers from low-income families.
This expansion will provide comprehensive support including education, health screenings, nutrition, social services, family engagement, and parenting resources—key areas for children’s development. Cynthia Schofield, the program’s director, emphasized the transformative impact of this expansion. She noted the increased number of available slots and the program’s reach into additional counties as pivotal for early childhood education in Pennsylvania. A new feature will be flexible formats, offering six- and ten-hour daily sessions to better meet the diverse needs of participating families.
