State Sen. Andy Dinniman announced last week that the Chester County Intermediate Unit was awarded $75,000 in funding to expand educational programs at Jordan Bank Elementary School in the Oxford Area School District.

The funds come through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare’s Early Childhood Education Community Innovation Zone Grant Program, which is designed to bridge the achievement gap for at-risk young children.

“These grants specifically target communities where innovative programs are working to meet the early education needs of at-risk students and provide them with additional resources to ensure that they continue to succeed in preparing students for the future,” Dinniman said. “After all, early childhood education is key in getting students on the right track for school, work and life.”

Under the program, the Oxford area is among 12 communities selected to receive up to $75,000 in funding to build upon and expand successful programs to connect early childhood providers, families and schools. The funds cover the first year, Oct. 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, of the three-year grant program.

The grants target innovations in at-risk communities serving select elementary schools and aim to  enhance high-quality early learning opportunities for those in low-income families, English language learners or those facing developmental delays or other challenges.

This round of grants amounted to $2.7 million in total funding for educational programs in at-risk communities. Pennsylvania will award 38 additional three-year grants in 2015-16.