Record Grant Amount for UPO Head Start

It’s an often overlooked fact that the United Planning Organization was an early testing ground for the unique concept that would ultimately become Head Start, perhaps the most successful child education program in the world.

Over the ensuing years, UPO has maintained its lead in comprehensive and innovative childcare with a record envied by many not only in the Washington, DC area but nationally as well.

Children always enjoy their "story time." UPO centers are stocked with the most up-yo-date equipment expressly for children's use.

Today, UPO is poised to become even more influential in the all-important childcare arena. This year, it recently received a record grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to operate Head Start programs in the District of Columbia.

The Head Start grant, including program expansion, totals more than $14 million and provides services in most of the city’s wards.

UPO operates these programs with its excellent network of delegate agency partners including Bright Beginnings, DC Public Schools, DC Department of Recreation, Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center, National Child Day Care, and Rosemount Day Care.

William D. Hughey, a longtime UPO employee, heads the agency’s Office of Preschool and Day Care. Mr. Hughey’s enthusiasm about his Office is clearly evident when one chats with him. More than simply quoting facts and figures, Mr. Hughey has an intense concern for the education of our youngest.

One such activity is the new Job Opportunity for Low-Income Individuals (JOLI), a Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funded program that will provide more than 200 new jobs especially through entrepreneur training. Childcare during nontraditional hours is an important part of this program. Funded at $500,000 over three years, JOLI is expected to even further enhance the quality of life for participants.

This year’s program will see approximately 200 children with disabilities participating in unique and innovative educational activities.

Other innovative activities include a new “father initiative,” and an Addiction Prevention and Rehabilitation Partnership where UPO works with delegate partners Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center and DC Public Schools Head Start.

Then there is the Strategic Recruitment Initiative (SRI) that will eliminate competition and enhance corroboration between federal Head Start and DC Public Schools and charter schools Pre-K programs. Other new initiatives revolve around targeting education outcomes for Head Start children, a plan that will create procedures to better measure the child’s progress.

Childcare partnership remains the buzzword of the 21st Century and UPO is in the forefront. Such partnerships will create more unity among grantees, develop creative program options for children and families, as well as work closely with District of Columbia childcare offices. “We are proud of our long relationship with our delegate agencies,” notes Mr. Hughey, who further observes that “our true partnerships” benefit the entire District of Columbia.

Currently, 1787 District of Columbia children receive quality services under Head Start with an additional 146 added due to the program expansion grant.

Meanwhile the program improvement portion will include child immunization, the acquisition of new buses, as well as facilities upkeep. With as many children as UPO serves facilities enhancement is always a priority.

In awarding UPO the record amount, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, commended the agency for the great work it has done especially with respect to the improvement of program governance and performance by delegate agencies.

UPO’s early childhood grants breakdown as follows: $11.8 million primary Head Start; $355,000 for program expansion; $279,000 program improvement; and $1.7 million from the District of Columbia government, also a record amount.