Alton, IL (KMOX) - In the face of threats to federal funding, leaders in the Head Start program say their early interventions are a good taxpayer investment.
"Our kids are more likely to complete high school, more likely to enroll in college, less likely to be arrested, less likely to enter foster care, less likely to experience poor health or chronic health conditions," says Gene Howell, President & CEO of Riverbend Head Start. Howell tells KMOX those conclusions come from researchers who followed Head Start participants from their youth to the age of 40.
Reports in recent weeks indicate the pre-school program will be cut under the latest Trump Administration budget proposals.
Howell tells KMOX's Total Information AM (5-9 am on 104.1 FM) that Head Start provides key support to economically disadvantaged families, including health, dental, vision, and nutritional screenings. "We provide services to bring this child up to speed, so that when they get to Kindergarten they are essentially on a level ground with their more fortunate peers." The agency is hoping to rally support from the public to save the program at https://nhsa.org/take-action/
The Trump Administration has vowed to streamline the government and save taxpayer dollars. Budget officials have said no final decisions have been made.
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