Baldwin Park Unified’s deep expertise in delivering early childhood learning services has earned the District a $1.69 million grant from the federal Office of Head Start to lead a regional Early Head Start program that serves communities across Los Angeles County.
Baldwin Park Unified School District’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program was awarded the grant to strengthen and expand Early Head Start resources that will serve 72 students and their families.
The program will serve pregnant moms, newborns and infants up to age three. Fifty-six students will be enrolled in on-site classrooms and 16 students will be taught using a home model, in which a teacher visits homes once a week to instruct students and parents for 90 minutes.
“This competitive grant means we can continue to expand Early Childhood Education to benefit the entire community,” BPUSD ECE Director Ricardo Rivera said. “I am proud to be a part of a District that understands the importance of Early Head Start and works with families to meet their needs.”
BPUSD edged out more than 20 school districts and competing agencies for the five-year grant, which will fund educational and developmental services in the cities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Los Angeles, Maywood, South Gate and Vernon through June 2024.
In addition to the grant, BPUSD also received $1.2 million for startup costs to build, including construction and operation of a modular building in the City of Bell.
“This grant testifies to the high-quality services Baldwin Park Unified provides to its students and families, and we are incredibly proud to lead the area in expanding and strengthening Early Head Start opportunities for all community members,” Superintendent Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza said.
Baldwin Park Unified students and families also will benefit from the Early Head Start expansion through additional resources and expanded partnerships.
Services will be provided in partnership with local agencies, including Cal State Los Angeles’ child development center and Los Angeles Unified School District.
Baldwin Park Unified began providing Head Start services in 1965, supporting and empowering families for academic success by providing services and partnerships with community organizations.
The District was selected as an Early Head Start provider in 1999.