A Bloomington-based early childhood program for low-income families has won renewal of a critical grant to keep operating for at least another five years.
Heartland Head Start was recently notified it’s been awarded the $4.4 million five-year grant renewal, said interim executive director Chuck Hartseil.
“We were overjoyed, and it created a lot of stress relief for our staff, parents and boards,” he said.
Federally funded Head Start agencies across the country have been anxious in these first months of the second Trump administration. The Project 2025 conservative blueprint that's guided many of Trump’s moves called for Head Start's demise, and there already have been unsuccessful attempts to eliminate funding.
It was tough timing for Heartland Head Start, whose five-year grant was up for renewal this summer. The agency has faced other challenges in recent years, including numerous leadership changes, workplace-culture complaints, and compliance issues.
That was all before Hartseil arrived. He said the renewal also is important because it means the agency won't have to compete with other organizations for the money the next time they're up for renewal.
“So for the long term, it assures that Heartland Head Start as it continues to operate in the proper manner will be here in the community for an extended period of time,” he said.
Hartseil said they’ll spend the next five years expanding their presence in the community and educating the public about what Head Start does.
Heartland Head Start serves families in both McLean and Livingston counties at various class sites around Bloomington and Pontiac.
The new school year is “going very well,” Hartseil said. With the grant renewal in hand, he said the agency can proceed with hiring staff and opening a third classroom at the YWCA McLean County.
Hartseil said enough kids have been recruited to fill the 224-slot capacity, and they’re working now on creating waiting lists.
