SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A local leader has been elected to the New England Head Start Association (NEHSA) Board of Directors. Nicole Blais, CEO of Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield Head Start, Inc. (HCS Head Start), has been elected to the Board of Directors of NEHSA, an organization dedicated to advancing early childhood education programs throughout [...]

(Mass Appeal) – The Holyoke-Chicopee-Springfield Head Start is celebrating 60 years of providing comprehensive programs, services and support to local communities, families and children. Their Executive Director of Head Start, Nicole Blais, is with us now to tell about their 6 decade journey and what the future holds. View here.

The Valley Visions Podcast with Matt Peterson is here for the community. Valley Visions is a local weekly public service show which highlights local organizations and individuals who are dedicated to improving their communities. On this Valley Visions podcast, Audacy Host Matt Peterson talks to Nicole Blais the CEO of the Holyoke Chicopee Springfield [...]

New England Public Media (NEPM) - The Fabulous 413 February 5, 2025 (segment begins at 40:27) https://www.nepm.org/podcast/the-fabulous-413/2025-02-06/feb-5-2025-a-start-for-mischievous-kin

Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start recently elected its 2024-25 Policy Council, composed of parents of currently enrolled children and members-at-large from the communities served by HCS Head Start, which may include parents of children who were formally enrolled. This group of leaders includes Amber Cichowski, Massachusetts Head Start Assoc. (community representative); Chalen Vasquez, [...]

HCS Head Start Gives Parents Seat at Table By BusinessWest Staff December 16, 2024 SPRINGFIELD — When Head Start began in 1965, its founders understood that parents are critical partners in its work to educate young children. They also understood that this partnership meant parents should help decide which services would most benefit their [...]

O’Dell Women’s Center Foundation Announces 2024 Grant Awards of $250,000 By BusinessWest Staff December 12, 2024 SPRINGFIELD — The O’Dell Women’s Center (OWC), Springfield’s first nonprofit women’s center, announced it has granted a total of $250,000 to eight other nonprofit organizations in Springfield to support programs that empower and create opportunities for low-income Springfield [...]

By Liam McLoughlin | Special to The Republican SPRINGFIELD — Preschools around the state haven’t always been receiving millions of dollars every year from the Governor’s Office. In fact, many of the first preschool programs were run out of dusty old basements, while teachers were treated as babysitters. Education has come a long way [...]

By BusinessWest Staff September 24, 2024 SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC), Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start, and dignitaries announced the opening of an HCS early-childhood program on the STCC campus. The opening of the facility will provide affordable childcare for qualifying families in the region, as well as learning and training [...]

Nicole Blais, CEO of Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield (HCS) Head Start Inc., was recently re-elected to the Massachusetts Head Start Assoc. (MHSA) board of directors and will also serve as treasurer. MHSA serves as the voice of nearly 30 Head Start and Early Head Start programs across Massachusetts. The not-for-profit membership organization provides collaborative learning [...]

Daily Hampshire Gazette SPRINGFIELD, May 29, 2024 Nicole Blais, chief executive officer of Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield Head Start, Inc. (HCS Head Start) was recently reelected to the Massachusetts Head Start Association (MHSA) board of directors and additionally will serve as treasurer. MHSA serves as the voice of nearly 30 Head Start/Early Head Start’s across [...]

Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia stopped by HCS Head Start on Monday, April 29 to read "Pete the Cat" with students. Reading and building vocabulary is important for children's success as they move toward kindergarten! Click on photo to view Channel 22 segment on YouTube.

LiftTruck Parts and Service celebrates 35 years by giving back to Head Start (Mass Appeal) – LiftTruck Parts and Service is celebrating their 35 year anniversary and are giving back to the local communities they serve by partnering with the Head Start programs in Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield, and Brockton, and they want you to [...]

In every community there is a struggle to fill the openings for early childhood educators and these roles are crucial in setting the youngest members of our communities on the oath to success. If you’ve ever considered being an early childhood teacher then now is the time to make the career move, with HCS [...]

Interview with Nicole Blais, CEO of HCS Head Start In this episode we chat with Nicole Blais, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer for Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start, Inc. located in Western Massachusetts. We cover: What Head Start offers for infants and toddlers ages 0 to 5 How Head Start not only [...]