New Putnam Early Learning Center Expansion Will Bring Critical Preschool Services Closer to Home for Families

Community Based Services (CBS) recently hosted New York State Senator Pete Harckham, Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne, representatives from Putnam County, Mary Urban, Vice President of Public Affairs for WIN Waste Innovations, and Jay Diesing of Mauri Architects to mark progress on the future home of the Putnam Early Learning Center and Preschool, a major expansion designed to bring high-quality preschool and therapeutic services closer to Putnam County families.

The visit marked an important milestone in addressing a longstanding challenge for Putnam County families: too many young children with disabilities have had to travel outside the county—often more than an hour each way—to receive essential preschool services. The new Putnam Early Learning Center and Preschool will bring specialized educational and therapeutic services closer to home, reducing burdens on families while creating a nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. The program served 23 students in its inaugural year and is expected to serve 46 students this fall, doubling access to critical early intervention and preschool services for Putnam County families.

The project reflects years of collaboration among state and local leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community partners working to address a critical gap in services for young children with disabilities.

"Today represents the power of partnership and a shared commitment to creating opportunities for children and families," said Vicki Sylvester Ph.D, Chief Executive Officer of Community Based Services. "We are deeply grateful to Senator Harckham for his unwavering support of people with disabilities and their families. His dedication to ensuring that individuals of all abilities have access to the services and opportunities they deserve has helped make this vision a reality. This preschool expansion will transform the lives of children and families for generations to come."

CBS recognized Senator Pete Harckham for his longstanding advocacy and leadership on behalf of individuals with disabilities throughout the Hudson Valley. His support for Community Based Services and Hudson Valley InterArts has helped advance programs that promote inclusion, opportunity, and community engagement. His commitment has been instrumental in helping create a pathway for this preschool expansion, ensuring that more children can access critical services within their own communities.

“Universal Pre-Kindergarten programs provide tremendous benefits to our students, our communities, and our overall economy. Ensuring that families have access to high-quality facilities within a reasonable distance of their homes is essential. I was proud to secure grant funding to help expand access to Pre-K for Putnam families and ensure that students with disabilities have the support and opportunities they need to thrive. Thank you to Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne and Community Based Services for their collaboration on this important investment in our students,” said Senator Pete Harckham.

The preschool expansion builds on previous investments at CBS’ 40 Jon Barrett Road facility in Patterson. Through New York State's Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology (CREST) Program, Senator Harckham helped secure approximately $100,000 to support Phase II renovations at the facility, helping prepare the Patterson site for the next phase of renovation and build-out while advancing CBS's efforts to expand educational and community-based services in Putnam County.

The organization also applauded Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne for his leadership and commitment to improving services for children with disabilities and their families.

“This funding is a major investment in the continued success of Putnam County’s Early Learning Center, an innovative program that is already delivering better outcomes for children, reducing burdens on families and school districts, and saving taxpayer dollars. The new building in Patterson will allow us to build on that success and provide even more children with the high-quality services they deserve right here in Putnam County. I’m grateful to Senator Harckham for recognizing the tremendous value of this program and for securing the funding to help us take it to the next level,” said Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne.

"County Executive Byrne has been a strong partner in helping identify solutions that keep children connected to their communities and families," Dr. Sylvester said. "His leadership and commitment to meeting the needs of Putnam County families have helped move this project forward, creating new possibilities for children who deserve access to high-quality services close to home."

During the tour, Jay Diesing of Mauri Architects reviewed the progress of the project and shared updates on the development of a facility specifically designed to meet the needs of young learners.

The visit also highlighted the importance of private-sector partnerships in strengthening local communities. CBS thanked Mary Urban and WIN Waste Innovations for their generous support over the past four years, which has helped sustain and expand job readiness and employment initiatives for individuals with disabilities.

As construction continues, CBS looks forward to welcoming Putnam Early Learning Center and Preschool, a state-of-the-art program, into their expanded permanent home that will provide critical services close to home while serving as a model for what is possible when communities unite around a shared vision. Once completed, the project will allow more children to be served in Putnam County, reduce travel burdens for families, support school districts, and strengthen access to inclusive early learning for years to come.

About Community Based Services (CBS)

Community Based Services (CBS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live meaningful and fulfilling lives. Through innovative programs, community partnerships, educational opportunities, employment services, and family-centered supports, CBS serves individuals and families throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond.

To learn more, visit www.commbasedservices.org and www.hudsonvalleyinterarts.org.