By Staci DaSilva
sdasilva@kcautv.com
Yet another federal budget cut looms on Friday, March 1st. And the $85 billion in sequestration cuts could mean a major change in "Head Start", a preschool program for over 400 kids in Sioux City.
Preschool. It's more than just a time to jump and play, but to learn and prosper.
And in order for all kids to have the same opportunities, Jean Logan, and her team at Community Action Agency of Siouxland sponsor the "Head Start" program which provides Pre-K education for kids in low-income families.
It's that program that could lose $400 million on Friday.
"Families still haven't recovered from the recession so we're seeing really an increased need for many of things like food, not a decreased need. It seems backwards and upside down," said Jean Logan.
"Head Start" is just one of about a half a dozen programs the Community Action Agency of Siouxland pays for with just over $8 million from the federal government, all are in danger of being cut.
Now, just how the possible "Head Start" cuts would be distributed will be dictated by the federal government, including if Sioux City's "Head Start" program has to cut its number of students.
"Generally, we have waiting lists. We're a high need area. That would be the last thing in the world that I would want to happen. And I guess that's why we're so concerned about this," said Logan.
Like always, the threat could be resolved, if Congress could come to an agreement.
Economists estimate the cuts could cost 750,000 jobs nationwide and there are no official meetings scheduled between the White House and Congress before Thursday's midnight deadline.
