Nonprofit Reach Dane released the following statement responding to recent reports that President Donald Trump’s upcoming budget will propose a full-scale elimination of the nearly 60-year-old Head Start Program, which the organization says would be “devastating in Dane and Green counties”:
“If enacted, this proposal would strip away essential early childhood education and family support services from more than 15,000 children in Wisconsin alone — including over 800 children and families served by Reach Dane each year. Additionally, more than 4,300 people across the state could lose their jobs — including teachers, family service workers, bus drivers and health staff — many of whom are employed at Reach Dane.
“At Reach Dane, we see the power of Head Start every day. Our programs provide children with high quality early education, nutritious meals, developmental screenings, and health and dental care. We also work closely with parents — many of whom are working or attending school — offering goal setting, family support and stability. The loss of Head Start would not only rob children of vital learning and care opportunities; it would force many parents out of the workforce or job training due to lack of affordable child care.
“This would lead to widespread economic instability: families unable to afford rent or purchase groceries, employers losing valuable workers and communities absorbing the consequences. The long-term costs — from increased need for public assistance to missed educational opportunities — far outweigh the short-term savings proposed in the budget.”
Click here to read the full statement.
