Head Start and other federally-funded programs are waiting on Congress to pass a funding resolution by March 14.
ROCK HILL, S.C. โ Head Start, a program that provides free education, healthcare, and support for low-income families, is facing potential federal cuts along with other federally-funded programs.
Program coordinators are waiting on Congress to pass a funding resolution by March 14. Otherwise, they could face closure.
โMany of our parents are considered the working poor or theyโre trying to thrive. If there is nowhere for those children to go during the day, then what would those parents do? How would they afford other private daycares or childcare centers?โ asked Karen Brackett-Browning, who leads Rock Hill Head Start.
Brackett-Browning said that, to prepare for potential closure, South Carolina is surveying the childcare system statewide and is looking to see if other programs funded by the state could take on some of those currently using Head Start resources.
Kiana Rios, who works with these families, explained this cut would have far-reaching impacts.
โSo many children wonโt have a place to go to every day, they wonโt have their teachers, the families wonโt have the community in itself โ they use this for so many different things,โ she said.
Brackett-Browning said the elimination of the program could leave families in a tight spot.
โWould the parent now not be able to work and have to stay home to take care of that child? So, that household has now lost some income,โ Brackett-Browning said.
Contact Anna King at aking2@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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