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Easterseals asks Maryland legislators for $5 million state match to open downtown Hagerstown child-development center
Summary
Easterseals and local partners told the Washington County Delegation they have raised about $5 million in private capital and are seeking a $5 million state match to complete purchase and renovation of a 72-child center in Downtown Hagerstown; project leaders said the site is under contract and the program is "shovel ready."
Easterseals representatives told the Washington County Delegation on an early-session meeting that they have raised nearly $5 million in private capital and are seeking a matching $5 million appropriation from the state to buy and renovate a downtown Hagerstown building for a child-development center serving 72 children.
John Horwich, chief executive officer of Easterseals, said the center is intended to support working families in Western Maryland and to prepare children to enter the three elementary schools in the Cashman area. "We already have a building under contract that we're waiting to close on, until we get this final piece of funding," Horwich said, adding, "we are shovel ready." The group said architectural drawings and a general contractor are in place.
The project partners described the center as intended primarily for children from low-income families. Horwich said about one-third of children in Washington County live below the poverty level and that 49% of children are in homes receiving some form of public assistance. He cited research on long-term benefits of high-quality early childhood education, saying it supports both workforce participation and school readiness.
Linda Abersole, who described personal involvement after losing childcare for her daughter, urged the delegation to support the request and said downtown Hagerstown lacks sufficient early-childhood options. "The majority of those students there are on free and reduced lunch and really need our support," Abersole told the delegation.
Dennis Alexander, director of government relations for Easterseals, introduced the presenters and noted that Washington County Public Schools chose Easterseals as a partner for the site and program. Horwich said Easterseals already operates multiple child-development centers in the region and has built partnerships with local health providers to coordinate well-child screenings and other supports.
When asked about the dollar amount, Horwich said the group is requesting $5,000,000 to match private funds. He said the request was submitted in the governor's budget but that final inclusion now rests with the legislature. Delegation members and county officials who spoke said they would continue to advocate where they could in a tight budget year.
No formal vote or legislative action was taken on the funding request during the meeting. Delegation members asked that Easterseals remain available for questions and updates as the session proceeds.
