Hoyer Celebrates Expansion of Judy Centers in Baltimore City
BALTIMORE, MD – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) attended an event held by the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) that announced the Foundation's support to expand Maryland Judith P. Hoyer Early Child Care and Family Education Centers, or Judy Centers, in Baltimore City to boost school readiness for young children. Judy Centers are early childhood resource centers named after Congressman Hoyer's late wife which provide comprehensive services for children under age five and their families.
"I was pleased to attend today's event to commend everyone who has been working hard to expand Judy Centers in Baltimore City," said Congressman Steny Hoyer. "My late wife Judy spent her career in the Prince George's County Education System as an advocate for the youngest in our communities, working to promote a model of full-service, community schools that could be a ‘one-stop shop' for critical services for low-income children and their parents."
"According to a study by the Maryland State Department of Education, 86 percent of children who participated in Judy Center programs were fully prepared for kindergarten," said Congressman Hoyer. "They also outperform their peers who haven't benefited from the services provided by Judy Centers. I've fought to bring this successful model to communities across the country through a demonstration program at the Department of Education and to preserve the community schools program as we work in Congress to pass a long-overdue reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that is due to come to the floor of the House of Representatives in the next few weeks. Judy would have been tremendously proud of the work we've been doing to carry on her efforts and expand them across the state for the benefit of thousands of children and their families who need our support."
The BCF plans to partner with the Maryland State Department of Education and Baltimore City Public Schools to fund the opening of six new sites over the next four years.