Judith P. Hoyer

The Dorchester County Judy Center is a place where community-based agencies and organizations collaborate under one roof to serve children and their families within or near a Title I School (Sandy Hill Elementary). This integrated approach promotes school readiness through early childhood care and education as well as family support and health programs.

The Dorchester County Judy Center owes its beginnings to the work of the Prince George's Interagency Early Childhood Committee. This ground-breaking group was founded and chaired by Judith P. Hoyer, late wife of Congressman Steny Hoyer, who dedicated her life to improving the lives of young children and their families. They originated the concept of co-locating agencies to create a service center which would best serve children and families through collaborative partnerships. This initial step evolved into the "Judy Center" when the State of Maryland adopted it as a model to be developed and replicated across all the counties of Maryland.

The Adelphi location was the first Judy Center. Presently, there are thirty-six centers. In FY 16, we will add sixteen more Judy Centers, which will total fifty-two  serving  61 school districts throughout the State of Maryland.

"The most crucial responsibility of any community is the protection, education and mentoring of its children." -Judith P. Hoyer

The Foundation Mission

"The Judith P. Hoyer  Foundation was established to honor the memory of Judy P. Hoyer, an early childhood educator, advocate, and the late wife of Congressman Steny Hoyer.  Her legacy continues by promoting early childhood education and family services through Family Learning Centers which are now known as "Judy Centers." 

The Judith Hoyer Child Care Center, in Cambridge, Maryland  is funded under the Judith P. Hoyer Early Child Care and Enhancement Program.  We offer early intervention, comprehensive and community- based programs serving children birth through age 5 and their families.

 We  are a school-based and school-linked center to assure school readiness for all pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students in the Sandy Hill Elementary School attendance area. 

 As a community-based center, Chesapeake College Adult Education classes are also held at the Judy Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week. The times are 6:00pm- 9:00pm. Childcare is also available during class times for participants of ESL Classes. For more information contact Karen Luceti at Chesapeake College at 410-443-1163.

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Early Childhood Resource Center

The Sandy Hill District Judy Center has an Early Childhood Resource Center which opened on April 26, 2011. This came to fruition with the collaboration of the Early Childhood Breakthrough Project, Maryland State Department of Education and Dorchester County Public Schools.

The resource center will allow Early Childhood educators, Childcare Centers and Headstart in Dorchester County to prepare appropriate activities using curricula and literacy materials, xerox, laminate, die-cut, make booklets and so much more. 

The Early Childhood Resource Center is free to use; flexible hours have been established to accommodate clients who wish to use the services from 8:30AM-4:30PM daily. For more information, or a tour of the center, please contact Chareka Harris, Judy Center Coordinator at 410-221-5268.