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Berkshire County HeadStart tells Pittsfield advisory council it serves 200 families as state rules tighten eligibility
Summary
HeadStart directors told the Human Services Advisory Council the program runs 13 preschool classes countywide (nine in Pittsfield) serving about 200 families; finance director said federal and state funding are stable but stricter state requirements have reduced eligibility.
Maggie Steele, director of engagement services, and Hunter McCormick, director of finance for Berkshire County HeadStart, briefed the Human Services Advisory Council on Jan. 29, 2026, about the program’s scope and finances.
Steele said HeadStart operates 13 preschool classes across Berkshire County, nine of which are in Pittsfield, serving approximately 200 families; the program also provides home‑based options and assigns a family advocate to each family that enrolls.
McCormick told the council that federal and state funding have remained generally stable but that evolving state requirements have narrowed eligibility, meaning fewer children may qualify for services. He described grant and finance structures without specifying dollar amounts.
Council member Dina Guiel Lampiasi asked how HeadStart is serving immigrant families; Steele said staff have completed training, brought in professionals to answer questions and created safety plans with families.
The directors emphasized HeadStart’s education and social‑emotional supports, including partnerships with the Brien Center for mental‑health services and coordination with public schools on individualized education programs (IEPs). No council action was taken on funding during the meeting.
