SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - The government shutdown is threatening to close the doors on early education for some of our community’s most vulnerable children, leaving working parents scrambling for childcare and shutting some of the nation’s neediest children out of preschool. However, in the greater Springfield area there seems to be a contingency plan. [...]
Head Start is a multi-service agency, providing comprehensive programs, services and support to local communities, families and children. Here to tell us more about their fun Halloween programs is Mahera Chiarizio, Director of Education and Amy Santiago, Development and Training Coach. See the video at MassAppeal.
‘We can’t even give you $1’: Federally funded programs helping Mass. families face cuts in November By Katarina Schmeiszer and Sadaf Tokhi Globe Correspondent,Updated October 23, 2025, 8:38 a.m. Tens of thousands of Massachusetts families who depend on federally funded programs covering child care, heating bills, and school lunches are facing a potential loss [...]
Kids on Campus aims to increase the number of Head Start programs on community college campuses to remove child care barriers for student parents. When Dayonera Rivera drops off her 4-year-old daughter Keilanys at the Holyoke-Chicopee-Springfield (HCS) Head Start center each morning, she doesn’t have to worry about traffic or rush back across town [...]
Para leer este artículo en inglés, haga clic aquí. The Trump administration is asking Congress to eliminate Head Start, a national early childhood education program that is federally funded. The administration is proposing the cuts for the 2026 fiscal year. It is not clear if the proposed cuts will be accepted by lawmakers. The [...]
Opinion by Nicole Blais Since 1965, Head Start has been an essential source of support for millions of children and families, offering early childhood education, health services and family support to those who need it most. This 60-year history rings ever-true right here in the Greater Holyoke, Chicopee and Springfield area. Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield [...]
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 [...]
