Parents worried about uncertain financial future of Head Start

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - Another government shutdown is looming Friday, and local head start leaders fear the program’s financial future could be on the chopping block.

Early education centers like Exploring Minds Academy in KCK see Head Start as their lifeline. 85 percent of the children enrolled rely on it.

“Those families, they go to work because of us, literally, and that’s how they then can be the parent and provide for their families the way they want to,” said Exploring Minds Academy owner Pamela Piekarski.

The program funds early education and mental health , staff development, and early development screenings. All of these wraparound services help set the children up for success.

“I partner in the local district and I’ve had the local district talk about how our children are coming in more than kindergarten ready. That’s a big deal,” said Piekarski.

Many of these parents are living at the federal poverty level and participate in subsidized child care. Piekarski said that with the threat of a government shutdown Friday night, the potential loss of funding puts a lot at stake. A $25,000 employee buyout due Friday from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services could also affect oversight for the program.

“Children would just be sitting at home watching themselves, or some family member wouldn’t be working,” said Piekarski. “There could be more children out in the street, living in a car. It’s really, really important that we keep our at-risk families ed the way they need to be ed.”

It’s an investment with a proven track record according to The Family Conservancy, who report every dollar invested into the program generates a 13 percent return every year. Many of these families are living at the federal poverty line. Fears loom of a government shutdown that could affect federal funding for the program.

“Kids don’t have a vote. They don’t make decisions, they’re not involved in these decisions, but they’re also the most important piece in this, right? Like our decisions impact them,” said marketing/ communications director Scott Hanson.

One parent with a child enrolled in the program said she couldn’t afford to pay for childcare out of pocket, and this potential future is one she is not prepared for.

“I would have to struggle on finding a new place for her to go. Not knowing what that’s going to look like. Whether she’s going to get the same type of education and treatment there,” said parent Tifany Arriaga.

Arriaga is a single mother who works while her daughter is at school and said she’s seen significant progress in her daughter’s learning. The stability of her home has Head Start at the foundation.

“If it doesn’t get approved and that’s not to turn out, it’s a worrisome situation for me,” she said.

With many questions of what’s to come and few answers, advocates are asking decision makers to keep the best interest of children in mind.

“It sounds cliche, but they are our future and they really, truly are and programs like Head Start are an incredible and significant investment in that future,” said Hanson.

More information about how to protect Head Start can be found here.

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