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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 Head Start's "Tomorrow's Teachers" program. Nicole Blais, Executive Director of Head Start, Yasmin Ibrahim, their educator and coach, and Mahera Chiarizio, their Director of Education, speak with Mass Appeal about this new program. Click on photo to view Mass Appeal segment. [...]

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 supports children but also parents and families What sets the Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start apart from other Head Start locations Nicole’s “full circle” moment of working under the preschool teacher who taught her at Head Start The gratification of watching children from the [...]

Joe Bednar talks with Nicole Blais, CEO of Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start LISTEN TO THE PODCAST At a time when so many families with young children struggle with issues of nutrition, education, mental health, and more, the services offered by the national organization known as Head Start are more critical than ever. On this installment of BusinessTalk, BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar talks with Nicole Blais, CEO of Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start, not only about how the nonprofit delivers free, federally funded programs that not only give kids a … well, head start in life, but also how it [...]

(MASS APPEAL) – Head Start is a federal program that promotes school readiness for children under age five, but your child’s learning starts with their relationships in the home. Here to tell us more is Mahera Chiarizio, Director of Education at Head Start, and Lori Chaves, Director of Clinical and Family Services. Visit mass.gov/head-start for more information on Head Start programs. Head Start accepts eligible 3 and 4 year old children until they can enter kindergarten. Early Head Start accepts eligible infants and toddlers.

HCS Head Start Begins Recruitment Season with Kickoff Event By BusinessWest Staff April 12, 2023 22 HOLYOKE — Every year, Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start Inc. kicks off the preschool enrollment season with a door-to-door recruitment campaign. In order to reach those most in need of services, Head Start staff implement strategies designed to actively inform all families with eligible children about the availability of program services and encourage and assist them in applying for admission to the program. Teachers and support staff canvas the neighborhoods and knock on doors to inform families about the free preschool program [...]

Mayor Domenic Sarno joined students and staff at HCS Head Start this morning for a special read aloud to celebrate ‘The Week of the Young Child’. The mayor sat down with children to read books to a group of children with their educators. During the read aloud there was a special mayoral proclamation thanking Nicole Blais, the CEO of HCS Head Start. Sarno stressed the importance of supporting the needs of young children through community engagement, “I love being with our children, and it’s the week of the young child, and I appreciate what head start does…” Sarno [...]

Educators, lawmakers, parents, and advocates gathered Tuesday to ask for an increase in funding to the Head Start budget item. Head Start provides early education and comprehensive services to the state’s most vulnerable children and families. The program offers family support, nutritional, health, and mental health services to families living below the poverty line. They serve children from zero to five years old and pregnant women. Thousands in Mass. facing end to elevated food aid The organization is seeking a $1 million increase to the Head Start Supplemental Grant line item, taking it to $17.5 million. The hopeful [...]

Nicole Blais, Chief Executive Officer, appeared on Mass Appeal on WWLP in January 2023 to discuss HCS Head Start's comprehensive programs, which include early childhood education, health, nutrition, social services, and activities for the whole family See clips from the interview in this video. Thank you to WWLP for having us on to share our mission and all that we do.