NKY Community Action Commission Head Start facility reopens after $3.2M in renovations

BY HALEY PARNELL | LINK nky REPORTER

Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission’s Newport Head Start facility has reopened its doors after major renovations.

The renovations took place in the student space in order to create a welcoming and fun learning environment for children. The renovations cost $3.2 million and took a year-and-a-half to complete. The building was ripped down to the studs and rebuilt.

Located at 502 W. Ninth St., the preschool facility will continue to serve low-income families in Newport. The new facility can serve 120 children.

Thousands of 3- and 4-year-olds and their families have received services through the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission Head Start program since 1965, according to a news release.

The program has 11 locations throughout Campbell, Kenton, Boone and Pendleton counties. Head Start offers several comprehensive services to meet the needs of preschool-age children from economically disadvantaged families or children with disabilities.

A grand opening event was held on Aug. 1 and hosted speakers including NKCAC’s Executive Director Catrena Bowman, Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, Camp- bell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery, Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann and Newport City Commissioner Julie Smith-Morrow.

Coleman spoke about the benefits of early childhood education and why organizations like the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission are essential in the state.

“We can invest in kids today, or we can pay for adults later,” Coleman said.

She said children who participate in early childhood education programs have been found to enjoy better job opportunities, be healthier, are less likely to utilize public assistance, and are more civically engaged in their communities.

Smith-Morrow served on the Newport Board of Education for 15 years before being elected as a Newport commissioner and said kids who go through the Head Start program show stronger success than those who do not. She called the programming vital to helping children develop and become ready for school and life.

“I was amazed to learn that this organization didn’t skip a beat during the year-plus of the renovation,” Smith-Morrow said. “Kids weren’t in the building but in nearby facilities and served well without skipping a beat. It’s important to families to have that continued service.”