Springfield -- Early Childhood Development Programs in Miami Valley will soon face five percent in reductions due to government cuts from the sequester.
Those affected will be Head Start and Early Head Start Programs across Montgomery, Clark and Madison counties.
Stacy Mason knows first hand the benefits of early childhood education. She says her daughter, who's in the second grade, is still benefiting from it.
"She moved to a 3rd grade reading level in January of this year and hopefully she will be almost through a 3rd grade reading level by the end of this school year," said Mason.
Mary Burns, Executive Director of Miami Valley Child Development Center, the Head Start provider for all three counties says her board has been asked to cut $1 million dollars out of their budget due to sequestration. The cuts have to be made by December and will go into effect for the 2013-2014 school year. There are currently 2,600 kids enrolled in Head Start Programs in the Miami Valley.
Burns says they will look at furlough options first before cutting teachers and staff but those reductions are inevitable. She says she sent a letter this morning warning staff of the potential cuts.
"We're looking at things like some additional layoffs for staff, maybe some furlough days for staff including executive staff like myself, possibly reductions in some health benefits," said Burns.
Furlough days won't likely happen until July, giving staff only six months to take them.
The Head Start program is already $1,000 underfunded so having to cut a million out of the budget puts officials under difficult constraints.
This isn't the first time the program has had to cut. Head Start loss state funding back in 2009.
"At one point we were serving all of the eligible 4-year-olds in Ohio," said Barb Haxton, CEO of Ohio Head Start Association, "Now, because of funding cuts we serve about 50 percent of eligible kids.What will happen essentially is this program will not be able to enroll as many children as they have previously enrolled."
Burns is trying to do whatever she can to help the maximum amount of parents, so their child can have a fair chance.
"Speak up for what matters most for young children, because they are our future. These kids are going to be taking care of us very soon and we need them to be the best children they could be," she stressed.
If you'd like to see local Head Start programs continue contact your local Congress representatives.
Annette Peagler will have parents reaction to the cuts coming up tonight on Fox 45 at 10 p.m.
Follow her on Twitter @Annette2245.
Those affected will be Head Start and Early Head Start Programs across Montgomery, Clark and Madison counties.
Stacy Mason knows first hand the benefits of early childhood education. She says her daughter, who's in the second grade, is still benefiting from it.
"She moved to a 3rd grade reading level in January of this year and hopefully she will be almost through a 3rd grade reading level by the end of this school year," said Mason.
Mary Burns, Executive Director of Miami Valley Child Development Center, the Head Start provider for all three counties says her board has been asked to cut $1 million dollars out of their budget due to sequestration. The cuts have to be made by December and will go into effect for the 2013-2014 school year. There are currently 2,600 kids enrolled in Head Start Programs in the Miami Valley.
Burns says they will look at furlough options first before cutting teachers and staff but those reductions are inevitable. She says she sent a letter this morning warning staff of the potential cuts.
"We're looking at things like some additional layoffs for staff, maybe some furlough days for staff including executive staff like myself, possibly reductions in some health benefits," said Burns.
Furlough days won't likely happen until July, giving staff only six months to take them.
The Head Start program is already $1,000 underfunded so having to cut a million out of the budget puts officials under difficult constraints.
This isn't the first time the program has had to cut. Head Start loss state funding back in 2009.
"At one point we were serving all of the eligible 4-year-olds in Ohio," said Barb Haxton, CEO of Ohio Head Start Association, "Now, because of funding cuts we serve about 50 percent of eligible kids.What will happen essentially is this program will not be able to enroll as many children as they have previously enrolled."
Burns is trying to do whatever she can to help the maximum amount of parents, so their child can have a fair chance.
"Speak up for what matters most for young children, because they are our future. These kids are going to be taking care of us very soon and we need them to be the best children they could be," she stressed.
If you'd like to see local Head Start programs continue contact your local Congress representatives.
Annette Peagler will have parents reaction to the cuts coming up tonight on Fox 45 at 10 p.m.
Follow her on Twitter @Annette2245.