FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2023
Silver Spring, MD — The Head Start and Early Head Start programs of Easterseals DC MD VA have received a $50,000 Community Partnership Grant and a $40,000 Local Impact Grant from Prince George’s County to help underserved children with disabilities.
“We are thankful for these grants from Prince George’s County to our two Head Start centers – located in the heart of Prince George’s County – for young children with disabilities who are from low-income families,” says Jevonna Willis, Director of Head Start programs at Easterseals DC MD VA.
Easterseals Head Start programs serve preschoolers of all abilities in inclusive classrooms. Over the last two years, enrollment of children with disabilities or developmental delays has risen from 10% to 18%, prompting a need for more teachers trained in special education. In response, Head Start intends to direct a portion of grant funds toward a part-time special education teacher.
Only 28% of all children in Prince George’s County are prepared for kindergarten, according to the Maryland State Department of Education’s 2021-22 Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Report.
Easterseals recognizes STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) as a key component to kindergarten readiness. Funding from the County will support more STEAM-focused learning for Head Start children. Head Start’s purchases of STEAM technology, such as a touchscreen table, will boost children’s interactive learning and overall developmental growth. Head Start also plans to start a STEAM afterschool program, in which families will have the chance to get involved at Family STEAM Nights. Including families not only reinforces STEAM concepts, but also encourages learning together at the home.
Head Start and Early Head Start are open for enrollment at Easterseals locations on Marlboro Pike in District Heights and on Allentown Road in Camp Springs. Low-income families in Southern Prince George’s County with children ages 0-5 years are encouraged to apply.
###
Easterseals DC MD VA – Easterseals leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access through direct and life-changing disability and community services. Since 1945, Easterseals DC MD VA has worked tirelessly to enhance quality of life and expand access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. And we won’t rest until each one of us is valued, respected, and accepted. For more information about Easterseals DC MD VA, visit www.eseal.org.
Contact: Lauren Poon, Manager of Communications & Marketing, lpoon@eseal.org.
