Bucks Head Start Program Receives 1-Month Grant Continuance

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) received official notification on Saturday of a one-month federal continuation award that allows its Head Start and Early Head Start programs to operate through June 30.

In a weekend announcement, the IU announced that the short-term funding ensures the services can continue for the remainder of the current school year while a decision on a longer-term grant award is pending.

On May 1, the Bucks IU announced the planned closure of its Head Start and Early Head Start programs due to the absence of official federal guidance on continued funding. The current five-year Head Start grant, awarded in 2020, is set to expire on May 31. The Bucks IU submitted a full application for the next five-year grant cycle on January 2 and is awaiting a formal decision from the Administration for Children and Families.

The continuation award, issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, provides continued federal support to the Bucks IU’s Head Start programs through June 2025.

“We remain hopeful that a new, five-year competitive grant award will follow soon,” said Dr. Mark Hoffman, executive director of the Bucks IU. “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.”

On Friday, Bucks County Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) formally called on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to approve the IU’s federal grant renewal before it expires on May 31.

In a press release, Fitzpatrick said he had met with Bucks IU leaders, submitted their full application and independent audit to senior officials at the Administration for Children and Families, and said he was working to secure a meeting with Acting Head Start Director Tala Hooban to personally advocate for the program. He also communicated the significance of the issue to the PA-1 community directly to the White House.

“I’ve always fought to protect Head Start — and I won’t support any effort to weaken or cut it,” said Fitzpatrick. “These programs are not line items in a budget - they are lifelines for our families and launchpads for our children’s futures."

He continued, "For years, I’ve stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Bucks IU. They are trusted partners who deliver results for our children and families who need it most. This isn’t just about a grant renewal — it’s about whether we’re going to keep investing in the success of every child in Bucks County. I’m calling on HHS to act now — and making clear to the White House that our community’s voice will be heard.”

In its May 3 notification, the Office of Head Start confirmed that all eligible grant applications, including the Bucks IU’s, have been reviewed by an independent panel as part of the federal grant competition. The review process is now moving into its next phase, with final award decisions expected by summer 2025. The Office of Head Start indicated additional communication may be issued within the next two to three weeks, according to the IU.

The Bucks IU has operated the Head Start program since 2015, delivering high-quality early learning, health, nutrition, and family services. The one-month continuation allows for uninterrupted support to students and families and avoids the disruption of program closures previously planned for May 31 due to the absence of an award notice, the IU said.

Families will be contacted directly, and Bucks IU staff are coordinating with partners to ensure consistent services through the end of June.