A loss for Head Start in SW IA
At least two southwest Iowa Early Head Start Centers are marked for closure this month.
West Central Community Action, which operates centers in 10 counties in Iowa, confirmed the closures are due to federal budget cuts. At this time, Clarinda and Shenandoah are the two sites marked for closure. Centers in Mills, Montgomery, and other area counties are currently unaffected.
Jason Szymarek, who serves as a delegate on the board of trustees for the Early Head Start Program for the State of Iowa, elaborated on the reason for the closures.
“The closures are the result of the loss of a federally-funded enrollment grant of $1.3 million. Every Head Start Center is supposed to have a waiting list and as of now we are short in the whole total program – 22 students are needed. Ironically, Montgomery County has enough kids on the waiting list to start a whole other center by themselves,” Szymarek said.
The Head Start program was started in 1966, and operations started in Montgomery County in 2005. The locally-operated, federally-funded program provides a comprehensive child development program for 3-to-5-year-old children from low-income families in 98 of Iowa’s 99 counties. The program provides services to promote academic, social and emotional development, as well as providing social, health and nutrition services. Program eligibility is for children and families at or below the federal poverty level, those who receive Supplemental Security Income benefits or where children have disabilities.
With the closure of the Clarinda and Shenandoah centers imminent, Szymarek said alternate methods are being discussed to serve the affected kids.
“West Central will operate a classroom in Clarinda in cooperation with the Clarinda School District to cushion the blow there. In addition, the Shenandoah School Board held a special meeting to discuss development of a 3-year-old preschool program. At least four Head Start staff members are affected by the closing of the Clarinda and Shenandoah centers.”
Szymarek added he is against the decision to close down the centers, citing the negative impact to the kids served under the program in the affected areas.
“I think it’s detrimental to the future of our children. It’s a great program. My kids are 3 and 4 years old and they go to school for eight hours a day. They take the bus both ways. It’s a great learning experience getting them ready for kindergarten,” commented Szymarek.
According to Szymarek, while Montgomery County will be unaffected by the upcoming closures, the public’s help is needed to keep the program going.
We are in need of “in-kind” hours from community members and business in the area that do not have children enrolled or not affiliated with the program that can come and provide volunteer hours or provide donations of any kind. We have a number we are supposed to meet in regards to volunteer hours and donations and we are far from it. The support we get this year will really go a long was in determining if the program will run next year and future years,” said Szymarek.
Szymarek added the board meets Dec. 14 to discuss the situation and vote on the closures.