Proposed Federal Changes May Affect HCS Head Start
Proposed federal changes prompt uncertainty at Springfield Head Start Updated: Sep. 06, 2026, 6:04 a.m. | |Published: Sep. 06, 2026, 6:00 a.m. by Daniel Jackson | djackson@repub.com Veteran Head Start teacher Donna Asare watched a familiar scene in the [...]
MassLive Reader Raves 2027 – Best Childcare/Preschool!
HCS Head Start is incredibly proud to have been named “Best Child Care/Preschool” in The Republican's 2027 Reader Raves! This recognition means so much because it reflects the trust and support of the families and communities [...]
Op Ed – What We Risk Losing in Head Start Revamp
Published: Sep. 02, 2026, 10:08 a.m. By Nicole Blais, CEO, HCS Head Start My connection to Head Start began at Parkside Early Learning Center in Ludlow, where my teacher was Janis Santos. Decades later, after Janis had devoted 49 [...]
HCS Head Start Celebrates Three Educators for 25 Years of Service
By BusinessWest Staff August 27, 2026 SPRINGFIELD — Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start Inc. announced that three longtime members of its team have each reached a milestone of 25 years of service: Casondra Alexander, site director; Myrna Nunez, [...]
Professional Development & Celebrations
The Republican Business Desk Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield Head Start (HCS Head Start) recently gathered team members from across the organization for a Professional Development Day held at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee. The event served as an opportunity [...]
HCS Head Start Launches Tomorrow’s Teachers Program
Read on Business West SPRINGFIELD — Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield (HCS) Head Start is investing in the future of early childhood education through Tomorrow’s Teachers, a paid internship program designed to introduce individuals to careers in early childhood education while [...]
Summer Fun is All Around! Great Summer Activities!
(Mass Appeal) – School may be out, but learning doesn’t have to stop! At Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield Head Start they have simple, fun, and affordable ways families can keep preschoolers learning throughout the summer months. Nicole Blais, Chief Executive [...]
HCS Head Start Celebrates Team Members, Volunteers, Leaders
HCS Head Start Celebrates Team Members, Volunteers, Leaders By BusinessWest Staff June 5, 2026 SPRINGFIELD — Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield (HCS) Head Start recently gathered team members from across the organization for a Professional Development Day held at the Castle [...]
HCS Head Start Highlights Importance of Early Childhood Mental Wellness
SPRINGFIELD — Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield (HCS) Head Start is recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month by reinforcing the critical role mental wellness plays in a child’s overall development and long-term success. At HCS Head Start, mental wellness is not a [...]
Springfield Agencies launch “Foundations for Success” Program
HCS Head Start, Square One, Springfield Public Schools, and the YMCA have created a new agency, "Foundations for Success," to help families find the proper types of support according to their situation and needs. The agency connects families, parents, [...]
HCS Head Start CEO Nicole Blais Named 2026 Leader of the Year
Business West By BusinessWest Staff April 22, 2026 SPRINGFIELD — Nicole Blais, CEO of Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield (HCS) Head Start, has been named the 2026 Leader of the Year by the Massachusetts Head Start Assoc. (MHSA). This recognition [...]
CEO Nicole Blais on BizBuzz Podcast
Nicole Blais, CEO of HCS Head Start, discusses the economic impact of early learning with host Jill Monson on Living Local's BizBuzz podcast. Listen here!!
HCS Head Start spreads the love for Valentine’s Day!
Head Start spreads the love, delivers their Annual Valentine’s Day Cards for Mayor Sarno 02/13/2026 Every year, Mayor Sarno and team are happy to receive a visit from his friends at Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start, Inc. around Valentine’s [...]
Promotions and 30-year service anniversaries
People in Business: Jan. 14, 2026 By The Republican Business Desk Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield Head Start has announced that Jeni (Jeniliz) Rodriguez was promoted to human resources senior generalist. Rodriguez attended Head Start as a child in Puerto Rico. [...]
HCS Head Start welcomes two new members to policy council
Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start Welcomes Two Members to Policy Council By BusinessWest Staff January 14, 2026 SPRINGFIELD — Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start recently welcomed two new members, Monalisa Smith and Maritza Sostre, to its parent-led policy [...]
HCS Head Start participates in resource fair and diaper drive
Springfield diaper drive aids 200 families with baby supplies by: Areta Odiah SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The O’Dell Women’s Center in Springfield held its second annual diaper distribution event today, aiming to support families facing financial difficulties by providing [...]
Head Start aims to keep kids educated amid the government shutdown
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 [...]
HCS Head Start Fall ART PROJECTS
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 [...]
Federally funded programs helping Mass. families face cuts in November
‘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 [...]
Bringing Head Start to College
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 [...]
Local Head Start would feel impact of proposed cuts
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 [...]
Looming cuts to Head Start will have ripple effect in MA
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 [...]
Local Head Start CEO elected to New England board
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 [...]
HCS Head Start celebrates 60 Years!
(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 [...]