Community Action! of the Franklin, Hampshire and North Quabbin Regions has grown quickly since taking over administration of the Westfield Head Start program. More than 200 children have been added to the overall roster, but that doesn’t mean anyone will get lost in the shuffle.
In fact, Community Action’s expanded coverage area means only great things for children and families in Western Mass.
“We’re serving families basically from the border of Connecticut to the border of Vermont,” said Anat Weisenfreund, Director of the Community Action! Parent Child Development Center. “It’s really great.”
Westfield’s Head Start program had long been administered by the city’s school department. Last year, the School Committee voted to “discharge” federal and state grants that have funded the program, as well as its administration of it. The board opted to relinquish its ties to the program due to the “financial liability exposure to the city.” This paved the way for organizations to vie for administration of the head start program. Community Action! was ultimately chosen.
Along with Westfield, the local Head Start has consisted of several facilities in surrounding communities— in Agawam and West Springfield —and currently serves 205 children (3- to 5-year olds) within these communities. And Westfield is adjacent to the hilltowns, part of Community Action’s existing service area.
“This is a natural addition to our network,” said Mary Clare Higgins, Executive Director of Community Action! and former mayor of Northampton. “We’re very happy to have Westfield Head Start with us.”
The families served, who have been “living with uncertainty” since Westfield announced it wanted to relinquish its control of the Head Start, have also begun singing the praises of the merger, and according to both Higgins and Weisenfreund, everyone has been very supportive.
“Families have really stepped up to assist with the transition,” Higgins said, noting that parent involvement is extremely valuable.
She also said the transition has moved along rather swiftly and smoothly. Nearly all aspects of the Westfield Head Start have remained the same, with retention of all of the families as well as more than half of the staff, who will undergo training for new programs, and more.
The towns served by Westfield Head Start have also been supportive, allocating funds for facility renovations and upgrades. A new roof is on tap for one of the buildings and a new heating system in another. The kitchen in one of the Westfield locations is being renovated, as well, among others slated for this summer.
“All of the facilities are getting a makeover,” Weisenfreund said. She added that new toys and furniture will be brought to the different facilities, too.
“Quality has really been our focus,” she said.
In addition, Community Action! has been collaborating with Westfield State University to get students majoring in social work and education involved. A partnership with Holyoke Health Care is also in the works, which will offer dental programs for children and families, and in the fall, home-visit services and family child care will be available.
“[Westfield Head Start and the communities it serves] are our neighbors,” Weisenfreund said. “We want to ensure a quality head start program for these families.”
