Washington, D.C. – After months of direct engagement and persistent advocacy in partnership with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU), Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) today announced the successful renewal of a critical five-year grant to sustain Head Start and Early Head Start services across Bucks County. The $5,849,283 federal investment will enable the Bucks IU to continue delivering comprehensive early learning and family support to 362 children and families beginning July 1, 2025.
“For decades, Head Start has been a cornerstone of opportunity in Bucks County. When I learned this renewal was at stake, I made it my mission to ensure these life-changing services would continue without interruption,” Fitzpatrick said. “This was never just about a funding cycle. It was about whether we would uphold our promise to give every child a fair start and every family a real chance to thrive.”
Unlike many federal programs, Congress does not vote on local Head Start renewals—requiring Fitzpatrick to lead a proactive, multi-layered campaign to safeguard the program’s future. As soon as he was notified by Bucks IU leadership, he began working hand in hand with their team to build a strong case and engage federal decision-makers at every level.
In April, Fitzpatrick convened with the Bucks IU leadership team in Washington to chart a comprehensive strategy to secure this funding and lay out next steps. From those initial discussions, he led an intensive outreach effort—engaging senior federal officials across multiple agencies, elevating the issue with decision-makers, and ensuring the White House fully understood just how essential Head Start is to the children and families of Bucks County.
“In May, I made clear that Step One was securing an extension through the end of the school year—which we achieved—and Step Two was delivering a full five-year renewal,” Fitzpatrick said. “Today, I’m proud to say that together, we got it done.”
Fitzpatrick credited the leadership of Bucks IU Executive Director Dr. Mark Hoffman and the dedicated Bucks IU staff for their partnership and unwavering commitment to the community.
“We are grateful for Congressman Fitzpatrick’s leadership in championing the needs of young children and families in Bucks County,” said Dr. Mark Hoffman, Executive Director of the Bucks IU. “This federal investment reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to high-quality early childhood education, and we appreciate his partnership in advocating for critical resources that directly benefit our community.”
For over 50 years, the Bucks IU has set the standard for early childhood programs that don’t simply educate—they empower. This renewed investment affirms the essential role these services play in strengthening families and unlocking the potential of every child.
“I have always fought to protect Head Start, and I will never support any effort to diminish or defund it,” Fitzpatrick said. “These programs are not expendable—they are lifelines for working families and launchpads for our children’s futures. Every child deserves the strongest possible start, and every family deserves the certainty that these services will be there when they are needed most. This is what it looks like when we come together to put our community first and deliver results that matter. Together, we honored that commitment.”
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