Head Start is a lifeline for hundreds of disadvantaged Bucks County youngsters, providing a high quality program tailored to ensure they have the best possible start to learning – and for life.
Head Start’s focus on education, health and wellness, parent engagement and focused local communities has served more than 40 million children since its founding in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty” initiative.
In 2024 Pennsylvania’s Head Start Association (PHSA) program received $386,260,499 in federal funding, according to the Washington D.C.-based National Head Start Association (NHSA). Across the commonwealth 27,746 “funded seats” were available to Head Start program youngsters.
This may end soon. The AP reported last week that the Trump Administration is preparing to ask Congress to cut funding for the program that helps half a million of the nation’s neediest children and child care for their families.
Melissa Kassel of Perkasie is a parent, foster mom and a fifth grade teacher at MM Seylar Elementary School in the Pennridge School District.
Kassel said when kids come into foster care they’re “almost guaranteed getting into Head Start,” adding that “Many are behind academically or socially, and they may have suffered abuse or neglect.”
She said the BCIU, which works to administer Head Start services in the county; helps identify academic challenges, as well as physical and occupational therapy needs.
“They [students] have the support from the IU to receive those services in the classroom,” Kassel explained.
She said over the more than eight years she has fostered children, one youngster stands out. While she was physically able to talk, she did not speak.
“This child was scared of everyone. We didn’t know what had happened to her, and attending the placement with another child we were fostering” meant all the difference to her, Kassel said.
Many children entering Head Start may not know how to spell their own names, know their letters or numbers, or be able to identify shapes.
The Bucks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) has been a Head Start and Early Head Start program federal grant recipient since 2015, according to Rebecca Roberts-Malamis an attorney, deputy executive director, and in-house legal counsel for the Doylestown-based educational services agency.
READ: Mass layoffs rattle Head Start leaders already on edge over funding problems
The BCIU currently serves about 362 children and families through both programs in early learning classrooms and family home visits across the county, Roberts-Malamis said. Head Start in Bucks County employs about 85 staff members who provide critical early education, nutrition and family support services.
Benefits of attending Head Start for youngsters show they are more likely to graduate from high school and attend and complete college. Studies confirmed Head Start student recipients are less likely to be arrested, enter or reenter foster care or suffer from poor health or its consequences, the NHSA website said.
“The teachers don’t make it feel like work so it’s fun and by the time they enter Kindergarten they’ve caught up,” Kassel said.
Head Start providers offer breakfast, lunch and healthy snacks to children in the program.
“The food is nutritious and kid-friendly,” Kassel said, “and they are getting high quality foods into the kids so their brains can stay focused – and they can grow.”
With the current five year grant at risk – and no word about whether funding will continue – Roberts-Malamis said federal money stops on May 31, 2025.
Bedminster Township resident Karen Wood is a parent, foster parent and former high school teacher. Wood is mother to four children: two in middle school, a son in elementary school and an adopted daughter that was also in her care as a foster child.
Now in third grade, the youngest went to Head Start, “loves school” and is thriving, Wood said.
“My first three kids went to private part time preschool programs two or three days a week,” Wood explained. The youngest attended a Head Start program from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Monday through Friday.
Wood said the “robust curriculum” provides more accelerated learning opportunities than many part time programs are able to offer – and the results can be astounding.
“These [Head Start] kids are going to kindergarten so ready. From having the experience of both [learning opportunities] our youngest was the most ready for Kindergarten – hands down,” Wood said.
Bucks County receives a total of $29 million over the five year period or about $5.8 million each year. If the grant expires “the Bucks IU would have no choice but to close the program.”
BCIU officials are in contact with elected officials. These include elected federal representatives and senators; Bucks County Commissioners, public school district superintendents, the BCIU board of directors and Gov. Josh Shapiro to find information about continued grant funding, she said.
The BCIU submitted its renewal application on January 2, 2025.
“To date, we’ve received no updates from the ACF (Administration for Children and Families) regarding the status of our application – or any planning guidance for the next program cycle,” Roberts-Malamis said.
“Education is the key to solving so many of the challenges we face in this country. The evidence is clear—early childhood education sets kids up for a fair shot at success,” said Bob Harvie, chair of the board of Bucks County Commissioners.
Harvie, a Democrat, has launched a campaign to run for the First Congressional District seat against incumbent Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick did not respond to several requests for comment.
“We should be expanding access, not taking it away. Every child deserves a fair and equitable start, and I’ll fight in Congress to protect programs like Head Start that make that possible,” Harvie said.
Head Start’s “four pillars” include education, health – which includes dental, health care and mental well-being services and referrals; parent engagement and support, and local design, which includes each program’s community traditions, priorities and cultural elements, the NHSA website said.
Kassel emphasized Head Start programs and classrooms are “safe places” for kids to learn.
“They come to Head Start, and they’re with friends and peers and the [learning opportunities] set them up for life,” she said.
For decades Head Start has enjoyed bipartisan support, the Associated Press reported. Last year, even with a GOP-controlled Congress, Head Start got a funding increase of $275 million – boosting its budget to $12.3 billion, according to Head Start.gov.
In March, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the Greater Mount Vernon Community Head Start in Gum Springs, Virginia, according to the U.S. Health and Human Services Department Instagram account.
“Today I had a very inspiring tour, very devoted committed staff and a lot, a lot of happy children,” Kennedy said on Instagram. “They are getting the kind of education and socialization they need.”
For now.
