Head Start program cuts due to sequester | News

As the sequester looms Head Start programs are next on the chomping block.

More than 2,000 children are enrolled in the program around the metro.

“We’ve already loss six members, employees and April 1 is the day they will be laid off,” William Bryles said, President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2406.

Bryles said the department has to take a 5.1 percent budget decrease equaling $620,000 and he said doesn’t believe it will end there.

“Six employees are not going to cover that so we know that there is more to come,” Bryles said.

Leaving these families with little to no options.

He said, “These are families that are probably working for minimum wage and so they can’t really afford early childhood care or daycare.”

“Its going to really hit us hard,” Jim Sconzo said, Executive Directly Community Action.

Jim Sconzo said they won’t be able to serve 100 students and will have to let go between 6 to 10 teachers.