Community Action

10/09/2026

Happy National Energy Awareness Month! Here at Community Action Pioneer Valley, we take ACTION to keep our COMMUNITY warm and safe through the winter. Energy management is a big part of that.

Here's what it looks like:

🌡A South Hadley Senior has her house insulated against the cold and her doors sealed against her neighbor's asthma-inducing chimney smoke.

🌡A family in Greenfield uses Home Energy Assistance Program to help pay the bills, while a free Energy Assessment shows them where they can save even more.

🌡A single mom in Northampton learns that she's eligible to have her roof fixed for free - and seal the leaks that were driving her heating bills sky-high.

We're so proud of the work our Energy Department does every day. Learn more:
https://www.communityaction.us/program/weatherization/

10/08/2026

The Center for Self Reliance Food Pantry is CLOSED today 10/8 for staff training.

10/06/2026

09/29/2026

“When you start pulling away health screenings, classroom standards, supports for educators and protections for children with greater needs, you risk changing the very foundation of what has made Head Start successful,” Oliveira said. “These are children at a critical point in their development and the federal government should not be lowering the floor beneath them.”

Thank you SO much to our incredible state delegates and who are standing up in support of Head Start and high-quality standards!

https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/massachusetts-senators-urge-hhs-to-withdraw-proposed-head-start-rule/

Public comments are due 10/6 - learn how you can weigh in too at https://massheadstart.org/nprm-resources

09/24/2026

Parents have always been an important part of Head Start, and this is a moment for them to make their voice heard.

The federal government has released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing changes to the standards that guide Head Start programs. Before those changes are finalized, parents, caregivers, staff, and other members of the public have an opportunity to speak up about what they think should be protected or changed.

NHSA worked with Head Start parents to create a national Parent Sign-On Letter so families can make their voices heard together.

If Head Start has made a difference for your child or family, add your name by September 30, 2026, at https://nhsa.org/how-to-speak-up-for-head-start/

09/10/2026

Spread the word - we have full-day preschool openings at Amherst Community Child Care!❤️
Head Start full-day preschool programs include:
❤️ A caring team of Educators and a Family Advocate who partners with your family
✨ 10 hours/day of care, 5 days/week, year-round until Kindergarten
💚 A support team of staff to help with any health or developmental needs
🍎 Meals, diapers, and more!
We accept vouchers! Already have one? Apply for full-day care today at https://www.communityaction.us/.../center-based-head-start/
Don’t have a voucher yet? Visit childcare.mass.gov/families to get on the state waitlist. Once you're on the waitlist with an approved service need, apply to us and we may be able to offer you an immediate opening in a contracted slot!

Spread the word - we have full-day preschool openings at Amherst Community Child Care!❤️

Head Start full-day preschool programs include:
❤️ A caring team of Educators and a Family Advocate who partners with your family
✨ 10 hours/day of care, 5 days/week, year-round until Kindergarten
💚 A support team of staff to help with any health or developmental needs
🍎 Meals, diapers, and more!

We accept vouchers! Already have one? Apply for full-day care today at https://www.communityaction.us/program/center-based-head-start/

Don’t have a voucher yet? Visit childcare.mass.gov/families to get on the state waitlist. Once you're on the waitlist with an approved service need, apply to us and we may be able to offer you an immediate opening in a contracted slot!

09/10/2026

Have you heard? We have part-day preschool openings in Amherst, Easthampton, and Northampton! 😍

Head Start part-day preschool programs include:
❤️ A caring team of Educators and a Family Advocate who partners with your family
✨ 4 hours/day of care, 5 days/week, during the school year
💚 A support team of staff to help with any health or developmental needs
🍎 Meals, diapers, and more!

Part-day programs are free for families! Apply today at https://www.communityaction.us/program/center-based-head-start/

09/10/2026

09/04/2026

Right now on WHMP's Talk the Talk: Lev BenEzra, Executive Director, talking about the federal government's proposal to cut Head Start Regulations from 100 pages to just 10, which would drastically change the program.

"The federal government has PROPOSED changes to Head Start. These are PROPOSED rules; nothing has changed YET.

We have a REALLY critical opportunity to make a difference in what happens.

We are here today, we will be here tomorrow, and we aim to be here for the next sixty years."

Leave a public comment HERE about your experience with Head Start:

This NPRM proposes to rescind and replace the Head Start Program Performance Standards (Performance Standards), last revised in 2024. The proposed Performance Standards would significantly reduce Federal bureaucratic burden on programs; defer to State policies wherever possible; return...

09/02/2026

Welcome to our new WIC space at Hadley Crossing!