STCC partners with HCS Head Start to open early childhood program
From left: STCC President John B. Cook, State Sen. Adam Gomez, HCS Head Start CEO Nicole Blais, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, former HCS Head Start CEO Janis Santos, State Sen. Jake Oliveira and Lisandro Rosario, district director for State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez. (Photo courtesy of state Sen. Adam Gomez's office).
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College, Holyoke-Chicopee-Springfield Head Start (HCS) and dignitaries announced the opening of an HCS early childhood program on the STCC campus.
The opening of the facility will provide affordable child care for qualifying families in the region, as well as learning and training opportunities for STCC students.
The announcement came at a ribbon cutting ceremony in front of the new Head Start location in Building 14. Earlier in the year, the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) and the National Head Start Association (NHSA) initiated a partnership to increase the number of Head Start programs co-located on community college campuses. STCC is the first community college in Western Massachusetts to host a Head Start center.
Children in the HCS Head Start program at STCC say hello at a ribbon cutting ceremony. At right is HCS Head Start CEO Nicole Blais.
Also attending the ribbon cutting were members of the Springfield state delegation, STCC trustees and faculty as well as HCS Head Start board members and leaders.
At the STCC campus location, HCS Head Start will provide services in one of the historic brick buildings located on the south side of the campus near State Street. HCS Head Start will have two classrooms, one for infants and toddlers, and a preschool classroom.
The partnership will strengthen workforce development opportunities for educators, said HCS Head Start Chief Executive Officer Nicole Blais.
“This exciting partnership will allow us to provide access to affordable care for qualifying students,” Blais said. “We also will collaborate with STCC’s early childhood education program and give students the opportunity to do their student teaching.”
We very much view this collaboration as a version of what is termed in the field as a ‘lab school,’ with a focus on workforce development – our students deeply embedded with Head Start programming and teaching.John B. Cook, STCC President
HCS Head Start will provide internship opportunities for students studying in various disciplines across the STCC campus.
“This partnership allows us to create a pipeline to employment for future early childhood educators,” Blais said.
STCC President John B. Cook expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership. Research shows access to child care can remove barriers for students with children.
STCC President John B. Cook delivers remarks at ribbon cutting ceremony for HCS Head Start.
"We are thrilled to welcome HCS Head Start to our campus,” he said. “We very much view this collaboration as a version of what is termed in the field as a ‘lab school,’ with a focus on workforce development – our students deeply embedded with Head Start programming and teaching. On the cusp of the 60th anniversary of Head Start, how exciting to formalize this partnership in Springfield.”
Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said, “I want to thank Nicole Blais, CEO of HCS Head Start, and her dedicated staff for everything they do for our students and the community. I also want to thank STCC President John Cook and team for being great partners to our Springfield.
“The importance of strong early childhood education cannot be overstated,” Sarno said. “We will continue to invest in our students, families and youth who are furthering their education and bring them the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. There is no limit to what our young people can accomplish and my administration will continue to do what we can to make sure that our youth have the skills and opportunities to succeed in life.”
Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno speaks at the ribbon cutting ceremomy.
In February 2024, the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), along with partner National Head Start Association (NHSA), announced the launch of the Kids on Campus initiative to bring more Head Start programs to community college campuses throughout the United States. The joint project offers a practical, commonsense approach to solving challenges in child care and education, according to the ACCT announcement.
The ACCT stated that qualifying student parents receive free, high quality child care and early education for their families from the Head Start program. Colleges obtain an expert partner to operate on-site child care from Head Start, which also has the ability to apply funding to retrofit buildings on campus.
For more information about HCS Head Start and to find out if you and your family are eligible for enrollment, visit hcsheadstart.org.
About Springfield Technical Community College
STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu