During the board of education meeting last night, Cumberland County Director of Schools William Stepp announced a grant will be applied for to continue the Baby Birds Learning Center.

The center is an early childhood intervention program serving children ages 18 months to 3 years with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

School officials say the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) grant that funds the facility will expire on June 30, 2024.

Stepp previously announced the center would close and that the staff there would be reassigned to other areas in the school system. Stepp said he made the decision “after careful consideration for all stakeholders in Cumberland County Schools.”

The school board designated two parent representatives to speak last night. Both were passionate about the success of the center involving their children.

Towards the end of the meeting, the subject was brought up again. Director Stepp thanked all in attendance for being there to show support for the continuation of the Baby Birds Learning Center.

Stepp said the school system will apply for a grant to continue the program.

The TEIS grant deadline is Friday, March 29, 2024.