DAYTON - Sequestration budget cuts have some of the youngest among us hanging in the balance. 70,000 children participate in headstart programs nationwide, and millions of dollars in funding cuts could impact them and their families.
For the preschoolers at Miami Valley Child Development Center (MVCDC), their days are full of adventure. The spirited children main concerns are things like, who goes through the tunnel first in the playroom, if it were only that simple for the staff members looking after the kids every day.
âWeâre just waiting like everybody else is to find out what is going to happenâ said Mary Burns, Miami Valley Child Development Center, Director.
Director of the Miami Valley Child Development Center, Mary Burns is worried about how sequestration budget cuts will hurt the center, and the kids and parents who depend on the center.
âObviously if you lose 130 preschoolers that are going to take some reduction in staff, affect our administration, it could affect some of our leasesâ said Burns.
The MVCDC could lose around a million dollars in funding locally. Headstart prides itself on preparing preschoolers ages 0-5, for elementary school, but staff members say it does so much more.
âThey know they have a place to go, they will be safe, their parents know they will be safe and itâs just a great needâ said Wilma Cade, Operation Manager.
âIn this building alone, we have 71 kids so if we cut some of those kids thatâs a lot of kids that could be hurt going into kindergartenâ said Yolonda McIntosh, Education Support Supervisor.
To deal with possible funding cuts, Burns says all options are on the table.
âMight we have to open a week later in August, might we have to cut back a few hours here or there, might we have to end some partnerships or close some classesâ said Burns.
Mary Burns believes sequestrationâs impact could be felt well beyond the classroom, as families with the biggest need for assistance, wonât be able to get it.
âIf our program is affected, out children are affected not only from headstart but because WIC clinics would be closing, theyâre affected because immunization clinics will be less available. Theyâre affected because Meals on Wheels from their elderly grandparents wonât be available. Itâs also a ripple effect to the family, child care will be affected so some parents who are working will have to quit working to take care of their childrenâ said Burns.
As the MVCDC prepares for tough times, they hope the community continues to support them.
For the preschoolers at Miami Valley Child Development Center (MVCDC), their days are full of adventure. The spirited children main concerns are things like, who goes through the tunnel first in the playroom, if it were only that simple for the staff members looking after the kids every day.
âWeâre just waiting like everybody else is to find out what is going to happenâ said Mary Burns, Miami Valley Child Development Center, Director.
Director of the Miami Valley Child Development Center, Mary Burns is worried about how sequestration budget cuts will hurt the center, and the kids and parents who depend on the center.
âObviously if you lose 130 preschoolers that are going to take some reduction in staff, affect our administration, it could affect some of our leasesâ said Burns.
The MVCDC could lose around a million dollars in funding locally. Headstart prides itself on preparing preschoolers ages 0-5, for elementary school, but staff members say it does so much more.
âThey know they have a place to go, they will be safe, their parents know they will be safe and itâs just a great needâ said Wilma Cade, Operation Manager.
âIn this building alone, we have 71 kids so if we cut some of those kids thatâs a lot of kids that could be hurt going into kindergartenâ said Yolonda McIntosh, Education Support Supervisor.
To deal with possible funding cuts, Burns says all options are on the table.
âMight we have to open a week later in August, might we have to cut back a few hours here or there, might we have to end some partnerships or close some classesâ said Burns.
Mary Burns believes sequestrationâs impact could be felt well beyond the classroom, as families with the biggest need for assistance, wonât be able to get it.
âIf our program is affected, out children are affected not only from headstart but because WIC clinics would be closing, theyâre affected because immunization clinics will be less available. Theyâre affected because Meals on Wheels from their elderly grandparents wonât be available. Itâs also a ripple effect to the family, child care will be affected so some parents who are working will have to quit working to take care of their childrenâ said Burns.
As the MVCDC prepares for tough times, they hope the community continues to support them.