$150,000 Grant To Help Train Future Early Childhood Educators

A $150,000 state grant has been awarded to set up a new early childhood educator training program in Bucks County.

State Rep. Joe Hogan, a Republican, said the funding will come through a contract with United Way of Bucks County to launch the Dual Enrollment to Early Childhood Teaching Pipeline Program, which is formally named Future Ready Early Educators.

The pilot program works to introduce high school students to careers in early childhood education and allow them to begin professional training while still enrolled in high school.

Participating students will engage in a combination of dual enrollment coursework, college advising, career exploration, job shadowing, and workforce readiness experiences.

The program is built on a partnership involving Bucks County Community College, Bucks County Technical High School, Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, and other participating technical schools.

“Families deserve access to quality early childhood education, and that starts with having qualified educators in the classroom,” Hogan said. “This training program will give our students the ability to enter the classroom as instructors sooner and with a strong background.”

Marissa Christie, president and CEO of United Way of Bucks County, said the program gives vocational high school students an affordable path to college and careers while expanding childcare options for working parents.

“As a result, more children will enter school ready to learn,” Christie said. “This investment strengthens the foundation of our future workforce and creates opportunity across generations.”

Patrick Jones, president and CEO of Bucks County Community College, noted that the collaboration will help young people identify future careers while filling regional workforce demands.

According to Dr. Mark Covelle, administrative director at Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, the pilot offers students college credit, real classroom experience, and advanced standing in their studies. Covelle credited the Department of Education for the investment and highlighted early contributions from Pre-K Counts partners who helped design the program.

Mark Holtzman, director of Bucks County Technical High School, added that the program provides students a valuable opportunity to earn college credits and real-world experience, strengthening the local early educator workforce in the process.

Hogan said that the grant received support from his state GOP House delegation as well as Republican State Sen. Frank Farry.