As Congress continues to talk about ways to curb sequestration cuts, Head Start is hoping an agreement will be reached sooner than later.
The agency, which operates locally through the Family Enrichment Network, serves families in Binghamton, Johnson City and in the Susquehanna Valley School District. While it's too early to tell the exact impact cuts will have, Head Start says they will hurt local families. According to Citizen Action, Head Start Programs across New York State would lose about $26 million this year if cuts stay in place. Currently, Head Start through FEN serves about 400 kids. And, more families want to enroll their kids, but there aren't enough slots.
Kate Grippen says, "It certainly could and will impact staff. And, it could result in changes to programs in terms of cuts and shortened program years, but that's yet to be determined."
Citizen Action estimates that about 43-hundred children state-wide will lose Head Start service because of sequestration.
