Bucks IU Awarded Grant To Fully Fund County's Head Start Programs

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Through the advocacy of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit and U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration for Children and Families have awarded the Bucks County IU a federal grant to fully fund its Head Start and Early Head Start programs for the next five years.

The $5,849,283 grant will allow the Bucks IU to continue serving eligible children and families throughout the county for the next five years, beginning on July 1. The Bucks IU has successfully administered Head Start and Early Head Start services in Bucks County since 2015.

Through the renewed five-year grant, the Bucks IU will provide services to 362 children and families across the region. The organization extends its sincere appreciation to families, staff members, state and U.S. legislators, elected officials, school district superintendents, and community partners for their continued support and advocacy of the Bucks IU Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The programs support school readiness through early learning, health and nutrition services, and family well-being initiatives.

“This award is a direct result of the incredible collaboration among families, staff, community
partners, and elected leaders who believe in the power of early childhood education,” said Dr.
Mark Hoffman, executive director of the Bucks IU. “We’re proud to keep serving Bucks County’s youngest learners and those who support them.”

The Bucks Head Start program currently serves approximately 362 children and their families across Bucks County and employs 85 staff members.

“Renewal of this grant reflects the federal government’s confidence in our program quality, systems, and outcomes,” said Dr. Roseanna Mitsch, Director of Early Childhood Programs. “It also affirms the vital role early childhood education plays in the broader educational ecosystem here in Bucks County.”

In March, the IU sent out a notice to the county that without a renewal of its federal grant, the programs were in danger of ending. Before the May 31 deadline, the IU received notice from the Trump Administration that funding would be extended through June.

“For decades, Head Start has been a cornerstone of opportunity in Bucks County. When I learned this renewal was at stake, I made it my mission to ensure these life-changing services would continue without interruption,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “This was never just about a funding cycle. It was about whether we would uphold our promise to give every child a fair start and every family a real chance to thrive.”

Fitzpatrick said unlike many federal programs, Congress does not vote on local Head Start renewals requiring a proactive, multi-layered campaign to safeguard the program’s future. As soon as he was notified by Bucks IU leadership, Fitzpatrick said he began working hand in hand with their team to build a strong case and engage federal decision-makers at every level.

In April, Fitzpatrick convened with the Bucks IU leadership team in Washington to chart a comprehensive strategy to secure this funding and lay out next steps. From those initial discussions, he led an intensive outreach effort—engaging senior federal officials across multiple agencies, elevating the issue with decision-makers, and ensuring the White House fully understood just how essential Head Start is to the children and families of Bucks County.

“In May, I made clear that Step One was securing an extension through the end of the school year—which we achieved — and Step Two was delivering a full five-year renewal,” Fitzpatrick said. “Today, I’m proud to say that together, we got it done.”

Fitzpatrick credited the leadership of Bucks IU Executive Director Dr. Mark Hoffman and the dedicated Bucks IU staff for their partnership and unwavering commitment to the community.

“We are grateful for Congressman Fitzpatrick’s leadership in championing the needs of young children and families in Bucks County,” said Hoffman. “This federal investment reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to high-quality early childhood education, and we appreciate his partnership in advocating for critical resources that directly benefit our community.”

For over 50 years, the Bucks IU has set the standard for early childhood programs that don’t simply educate—they empower. This renewed investment affirms the essential role these services play in strengthening families and unlocking the potential of every child.

“I have always fought to protect Head Start, and I will never support any effort to diminish or defund it,” Fitzpatrick said. “These programs are not expendable—they are lifelines for working families and launchpads for our children’s futures. Every child deserves the strongest possible start, and every family deserves the certainty that these services will be there when they are needed most. This is what it looks like when we come together to put our community first and deliver results that matter. Together, we honored that commitment.”

Additional information regarding the grant and programming for the 2025–26 program year will

be shared as it becomes available, according to the IU. To learn more about the Bucks IU Head Start and EarlyHead Start programs, click here.