Massive Head Start cutbacks scheduled for coming school year

Head Start and Early Head Start programs will eliminate services for 57,000 children nationwide as a result of the sequester that requires them to cut more than 5% from the budget, according to national reports.

In New York state, where 66,694 children receive Head Start services, roughly 3,847 fewer children will be served, according to the National Head Start Association.

The Administration for Children's Services, which administers Head Start in the city, could not say by deadline how many children would be affected locally or how the cost savings would be achieved. Linda Humes, the founder and executive director of Yaffa Cultural Arts Inc., who works with local Head Start Programs, said the cuts would be devastating.