Woonsocket Head Start Program To Cut 30 Seats

The Woonsocket Head Start program, ensuring low-income preschoolers show up for classes ready to learn, faces a 5.27 percent cut thanks to "sequester" federal funding cuts this year — eliminating 30 seats.

Head Start funding to Rhode Island in general was cut by $1.3 million this year. Last year, Head Start served about 2,450 children in Rhode Island, including 226 in Woonsocket. When the school year starts in September, that number will be reduced by about 370 statewide, including the 30 Woonsocket seats lost. Woonsocket Head Start has a waiting list with 120 children.

“Due to sequestration, preschool children and families in Woonsocket will be facing yet another challenge this year. Along with Head Start programs across the country Woonsocket Head Start Child Development Association, Inc.‘s budget has been cut by 5.27 percent. This means 30 fewer children will have the window of opportunity for a quality early education and comprehensive services that prepare them for kindergarten," said Mary Varr, executive director of Woonsocket Head Start.

"These cuts have a ripple effect that goes beyond a year of high quality pre-school education.  It means that more students are at risk of starting school way behind.  It means that parents will have to scramble to find alternatives – and there are few affordable, quality options for some of these folks," said Sen. Jack Reed Tuesday morning during a visit to Karen G. Bouchard Children’s Center in Woonsocket, where some of the classroom spots will be cut. Some will also be cut from the program's Bouchard Center location.

During the visit, Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, announced the Woonsocket Head Start Child Development Association, Inc. would receive a $1.5 million grant to continue to deliver early childhood education and family support programs. The funding allows Woonsocket Head Start to continue the program, but doesn't replace the federal sequester cut. 

“These types of cuts forced by sequestration are shortsighted and ill advised. Our country needs to be thinking of the future and this means taking care of our youngest learners today so they are well equipped to handle the complexities of the workforce in a global market tomorrow.  I urge everyone to contact their local government with the message to put away their egos, stop the blind sighted decisions and truly work for the people in our communities,” said Varr.