As we’ve seen, the past two years have wreaked havoc on so many, particularly young children and families living at or below the poverty level. At the Y in Central Maryland, we have long focused a great deal of our work on this part of our community, as we are the largest provider of Head Start programming in the state of Maryland.
While we were able to pivot to a virtual Head Start offering when the pandemic first hit, we all know that approach will never replace the hands-on benefit of in-person early childhood development and the socialization that comes with children engaging with each other and with highly trained, caring teachers and aides. As such, our Head Start program has been back in person this school year, with diligent health protocols in place.
To visit a Head Start classroom is to be blown away by the energy, the care, and the intentionality found there. To be a Head Start parent is to be incredibly grateful for all that is found in that classroom and in the services provided to children and their families. Here’s just one of the many comments we’ve recently received:
“The teachers are amazing. The communication is A1!! My daughter loves going to school. They celebrate all accomplishments whether it be in school or at home. I’m happy that I enrolled my child. She has come out of her shell. She has learned so much since being there. I love to hear her walk around the house counting and saying her alphabet. She is well on her way to kindergarten!!!”
But here’s the thing. Currently, only a little more than half of our available Head Start classrooms are filled. Families remain hesitant to bring their children back into a classroom for so many reasons: the fact that there isn’t yet a vaccine for children under five; the disruption that COVID has wrought on the lives of the families of Head Start children; the challenge of arranging transportation during a time in which finding bus drivers and so many other professionals is profoundly difficult; to name just a very few.
Our incredible Head Start team, led by the irrepressible Amy Taylor, continues to work every day to both do the amazing work they love so dearly with the 900 or so children and families currently enrolled and to find ways to get another 800 or so new children and their families in the doors. This is hard work, but it’s profoundly worth it. Years of research validate that it’s not only the children enrolled who benefit but the entire community is lifted by that progress.
If you think your child may be eligible for Head Start or know a family that might follow this link to learn more about our Y’s Head Start program.
You can change a child’s trajectory in life. Just ask our Head Start families.
All the best,
John
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland