Published: October 09, 2008 11:46 pm            

Johnstown child-care facilities merge

A new location brings a fresh start.

On Thursday, Community Action Partnership of Cambria County’s Head Start of Cambria County and the Cambria County Child Development Corp. unveiled its new shared facility on Broad Street under the name of CAPCC Johnstown City Head Start.

The building can accommodate up to 300 children. The early-childhood-development program serves infants, toddlers and children ages 3 through 5.

“By combining the two great facilities that serve Cambria County, we are creating an all-inclusive child-care facility,” said Stacie Horvath, executive director of Head Start of Cambria County.

Some of the highlights to the facility include before, after and all-day care activities, a possible future mental health professional office and handicap accessibility.

With room for expansion, the center will be able to apply for more grants and programs that could ultimately create more jobs.

The previous three Johnstown-area Head Start facilities now housed at the Broad Street building allow for one central location. There also are centers in Ebensburg, Salix, Northern Cambria, Gallitzin and Portage.

“It’s been three years of working with the community to get us here,” said Deb Zimmerman, executive director of CAPCC.

Zimmerman added that being in one building is more economical because it reduces bus routes and the number of meals being served to children.

CAPCC Head Start is leasing the facility from Johnstown Construction Services.

“This project is exciting not only for us as contractors, but for the families of Johnstown as well,” said Jim Vasilko, owner and president of Johnstown Construction Services. “We are building the cornerstone to our children’s future.”

        

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