Support for LAist comes from
Become a sponsor
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Donate
Stay Connected

LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network.

Audience-funded nonprofit news
Listen
Donate
Podcasts Take Two
How sequestration cuts are affecting California's Head Start program
solid orange rectangular banner
()
Take Two Logo
Aug 23, 2013
Listen • 9:29
How sequestration cuts are affecting California's Head Start program
Automatic federal spending cuts known as the sequester are starting to hit programs for the poor. The Obama Administration announced this week that 57,000 children nationwide will lose out on free preschool classes as a result.
On her day off from school, Simpson spends most of the day tutoring four-year-old Jenaveve Cardenas, who just started the Head Start program this year.
On her day off from school, Simpson spends most of the day tutoring four-year-old Jenaveve Cardenas, who just started the Head Start program this year.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Jessica Cardenas, 5, does her homework with her mom's help after school. She was Simpson's first child enrolled in Head Start.
Jessica Cardenas, 5, does her homework with her mom's help after school. She was Simpson's first child enrolled in Head Start.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Maggie Simpson sings a song about animals with her three young daughters. Her two daughters that are old enough have gone to Head Start programs that are being threatened by sequestration cuts.
Maggie Simpson sings a song about animals with her three young daughters. Her two daughters that are old enough have gone to Head Start programs that are being threatened by sequestration cuts.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Maggie Simpson walks two blocks from her trailer home to Washington Elementary up to five times a day to pick up her children at different times.
Maggie Simpson walks two blocks from her trailer home to Washington Elementary up to five times a day to pick up her children at different times.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)

Automatic federal spending cuts known as the sequester are starting to hit programs for the poor. The Obama Administration announced this week that 57,000 children nationwide will lose out on free preschool classes as a result.

Automatic federal spending cuts known as the sequester are starting to hit programs for the poor. The Obama Administration announced this week that 57,000 children nationwide will lose out on free preschool classes as a result.

California is among the hardest hit, losing over 5,000 slots to Head Start programs.

RELATED: How sequestration Head Start cuts ripple through a community

Joining us to talk about those numbers and the families they will affect is KPCC's Early Childhood Development correspondent Deepa Fernandes.