We are proud to announce that United Way of Greater Charlottesville (UWGC) has received a Notice of Award from the Office of Head Start to serve as the regional grantee for Head Start programming in Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa, and Nelson.
Through this federal grant, UWGC will oversee early childhood care and education services designed to support the region’s most vulnerable children and families. Head Start, founded in 1965, prepares children from birth to age five for success in school and life by promoting early learning, health, and family well-being. The program provides free, comprehensive early learning and development services to families who meet federal income guidelines.
“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor for our organization and community,” said Ravi Cooper, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Charlottesville. “It represents months of collaboration, preparation, and a deep commitment to ensuring that every child in our region has the opportunity to thrive. We are humbled by the trust placed in us and excited to build on this momentum.”
Since January of this year, UWGC has worked closely with state and federal partners to complete the extensive documentation, planning, and data collection required for the Head Start transition. This award positions UWGC among more than 1,600 agencies nationwide that deliver Head Start programming tailored to local community needs.
UWGC plans to partner with local public school divisions and community organizations to administer the Head Start grant, ensuring coordinated, high-quality services across the region. Under UWGC’s model, the program will serve 142 Head Start preschool students and 32 Early Head Start students through a combination of center-based programming and home-visiting services.
Meeting a Critical Regional Need
Across the Blue Ridge region, families continue to face significant barriers in accessing affordable, high-quality childcare. Current data show a shortfall of more than 11,000 childcare slots, with nearly 80% of the gap concentrated among infants and toddlers (ages 0–2). Access to dependable, developmentally rich care not only helps children thrive but also enables families to maintain steady employment and long-term financial stability.
UWGC’s new Head Start award represents a major step forward in addressing these shortages and ensuring that more families have access to the resources and supports they need to succeed.
“Affordability is one of the biggest barriers families face,” said Meredith Locascio, Vice President of School Readiness Impact at UWGC. “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines affordable childcare as costing no more than 7% of a family’s income. In Greater Charlottesville, the median household income falls far below what that would require. Head Start funding helps close that gap and ensures that cost is not a barrier to opportunity.”
Lifelong Impact for Children and Families
Decades of data show that children who participate in Head Start programs are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college, and demonstrate stronger social, emotional, and behavioral development. These benefits ripple across generations, improving family stability and community well-being.
This new role builds on UWGC’s proven leadership as the regional hub for Ready Region Blue Ridge, through which it coordinates early childhood care and education efforts across 21 cities and counties in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation.
“At United Way, we could not be more eager to begin delivering Head Start services to families in our community,” added Cooper. “These programs change lives. We approach this work with humility, compassion, and determination to build a stronger, more equitable early childhood system for our region.”