By ELIZABETH FARAGI
Capital News Service
WASHINGTON – Thousands of Maryland parents may be affected by newly proposed cuts to free, federally funded childhood education programs.
The changes stem from a recent budget cut proposal by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to Head Start programs, angering parents nationwide.
Head Start’s state-run programs are meant to provide free childhood education and support services to low-income families. Local nonprofits and early childhood programs, such as Maryland Family Network (MFN), operate these childcare locations across the country, according to Head Start’s website.
Nearly 40,000 Head Start jobs could be cut if it is enacted, according to an analysis by Together for Head Start, a campaign launched in response to the proposal.
For Maryland, this could mean an estimated loss of 478 jobs and an estimated increase in child care costs of $707 annually per child, according to the analysis.
HHS has not responded to Capital News Service’s request for comment. The agency says the changes are intended to bring flexibility to the local centers and reduce the funding burden on the government, according to a recent HHS press release.
But Beth Morrow, the director of public policy at MFN, said the cuts could affect the extent of services that their Early Head Start locations provide, which serve children from birth to age 3.
“We’re pushing back against parts of the proposed rule that would limit the number of hours that Head Start service can be delivered,” Morrow said to CNS. “We’re concerned about reductions in staff … If the rule goes into effect, there might be less staff support and focus on supporting parents.”
More than 7,000 kids use Head Start programs across Maryland’s over 200 centers, according to Morrow.
MFN brought Maryland Head Start parents to Washington, D.C. for a recent rally in front of the Capitol building, where attendees shared their stories to members of Congress.
“We learned that there are a number of leaders in our organization and leaders in Congress who are Head Start alumni,” Morrow said. “It’s powerful.”
Kara McFalls, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Head Start Association, emphasized the importance of the program.
“The voice of Head Start needs to be heard,” McFalls said to CNS. “Kids and families and communities need Head Start, want Head Start and deserve it.”
Head Start provides childhood education, medical screenings, nutritious meals for children and support for parents.
Audrey Talbert, a Head Start parent at the rally, said the program helped her as a single mother.
“I became a Head Start parent the year that I became a single mom, so there was a lot of struggle,” Talbert said to CNS.
“When I had to make a choice between laundry soap and groceries, my Head Start helped me find resources,” Talbert said. “They helped me get laundry soap and made sure my entire family was taken care of.”
