Charles County Celebrates Judy Hoyer’s Early Learning Impact
A Quarter-Century of Support for Families
The first Judy Center in Charles County celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special event at Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School earlier this month. This milestone highlights the center’s long-standing commitment to supporting young families in Southern Maryland.
Established in the fall of 2000, the Judy Center was born from state legislation that year, which created the Judith P. Hoyer Early Child Care and Education Enhancement Program. The goal of this initiative was to create hubs that connect families with essential resources to help children develop school readiness skills from birth through age 5. Over time, the program has become known simply as Judy Centers, operating under a collaborative model where schools partner with community agencies to deliver free services funded by state grants.
The Vision Behind the Centers
“Early childhood education is the cornerstone of lifelong success,” said Jennifer Gimmel, a Judy Center specialist. “It builds cognitive, emotional, and social foundations children need to thrive—not just in school, but in life.” The mission of the Judy Center is to provide enriching, nurturing, and inclusive experiences for both children and their families.
The roots of the Judy Centers can be traced back to Judy Hoyer, an early childhood advocate and supervisor in Prince George’s County Public Schools who passed away in 1997. As the wife of U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, she championed integrated services for young children, launching pilot programs in Cheverly and Adelphi that emphasized community involvement. Her philosophy was centered on the idea that raising and educating children requires broad support networks.
“She was a teacher,” Steny Hoyer said at the anniversary event. “She had other talents, but she was a teacher.” He recalled her early determination: She knew from second grade she wanted to teach and never wavered. The centers, initially named the full Judith P. Hoyer Early Child Care and Education Enhancement Centers, were shortened at the suggestion of then-Gov. Parris N. Glendening, a family friend who found the title cumbersome. “Everyone was onboard,” Hoyer noted.
Growth and Expansion
Maryland launched 13 Judy Centers in 2000, including the one at Dr. Mudd. The next year brought 11 more grants, with priority given to counties lacking a center. Charles County secured a second center at Eva Turner Elementary School after some jurisdictions opted out. Today, three Judy Centers operate within Charles County Public Schools: at Dr. Mudd, Eva Turner, and Indian Head elementary schools.
These hubs offer a range of no-cost programs tailored to local needs. Families access adult education and English classes, case management, health screenings, a dental initiative for children up to age 5, parent workshops, playgroups, and early intervention referrals to the Infants and Toddlers program. Staff collaborate with partners like public libraries, child care resource centers, and Head Start to address barriers to development.
For newcomers like Corissa Owens, a first-time mother who recently relocated to the area, the centers provide essential connections. Referred by her husband’s coworker, Owens sought ways to engage her daughter Caliyah and gain parenting insights. “We love it,” she said. Through playgroups and field trips, Caliyah has gained confidence, while Owens has gathered resources for settling in and met other parents. “It’s a great resource for both parents and children.”
Statewide Impact and Future Goals
Statewide, Judy Centers have grown steadily since their inception. By 2024, Maryland hosted 86 centers, up from the original 13, serving children prenatally through kindergarten entry. The model gained momentum with the 2014 Prekindergarten Expansion Act, which added three more centers the following year, and federal Race to the Top funding in 2011 that supported further rollout.
This expansion aligns with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a 2020 education reform package that mandates universal prekindergarten and equitable access to early learning. The legislation calls for nine new Judy Centers annually through fiscal year 2029, then 18 per year through 2034, aiming for more than 180 statewide by 2030.
In Charles County, where public schools enroll over 27,000 students across a diverse, growing region, these hubs help bridge gaps in rural and suburban pockets. For instance, the Indian Head center, which held a ribbon-cutting in 2022 after receiving an expansion grant, targets families in western Charles County with limited access to pediatric and mental health services.
Tailored Services and Community Partnerships
The Blueprint emphasizes data-driven outcomes, such as improved kindergarten readiness scores. Judy Centers contribute by using tools like the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment to track progress and refine services. In Southern Maryland, where Charles, St. Mary’s, and Calvert counties share agricultural roots and proximity to naval bases, these programs support workforce stability. Parents pursuing education or employment benefit from on-site support, reducing turnover in child care roles that plague the region.
Historically, Judy Hoyer’s work in Prince George’s County demonstrated the value of one-stop hubs. Her Adelphi pilot in the 1990s united government and private entities, a blueprint Maryland replicated statewide. Evaluations, including a 2004 review released by Rep. Hoyer, showed participating children outperforming peers in social skills and literacy basics.
In Charles County, the centers adapt to local demographics. At Dr. Mudd in Waldorf, a bustling area near shopping corridors, evening family events accommodate working parents. Eva Turner’s programs emphasize literacy in a community with high military families, while Indian Head focuses on health equity in underserved areas. All three integrate with county resources, like the Charles County Resource Connection, to streamline referrals.
A Lasting Legacy
As Maryland invests $3.8 billion annually in prekindergarten under the Blueprint, Judy Centers remain pivotal. They not only prepare children but also empower families, echoing Hoyer’s village approach. The 25th anniversary at Dr. Mudd underscores a sustained commitment in Charles County, where early interventions yield long-term gains in a region balancing growth and tradition.
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