$300,000 cut from Head Start in Mid-Missouri

Callaway County eludes most funding reductions

Although 105 fewer youngsters will be able to participate in Head Start training this year in Central Missouri, only one of the cuts will affect the Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Callaway County

Beth Vossler, director of Head Start operations for Central Missouri Community Action, said because of federal budget cuts, $300,390 must be cut from the $5.7 million in federal funds used to operate the Head Start and Early Head Start infant and toddlers training programs for preschoolers in Central Missouri.

To deal with the 5.27 percent reduction in federal funding for Head Start, the board of directors of Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA) has voted to reorganize the agency's Head Start program.

The changes will mean 105 fewer preschool children will be enrolled from the Head Start program in the eight-county area served by the agency. The current plan envisions only one training slot removed from the program in Callaway County,

To achieve the reduction of 105 training slots for children, there will be 45 fewer slots in Boone County, 30 less in Cole County, 16 less in Audrain County, 10 less in Howard County, 3 less in Moniteau County, and 1 less in Callaway County.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.