It's Not Easy Being Three: The Effects on Young Children of Funding Cuts and the Absence of a State Budget

This two page report highlights the impact that two executive orders with monthly allotments have had on Family Resource Centers, Head Start and School Readiness programs in Connecticut. In fact, for the months of July and August, FRCs received no funding, which has resulted in at least eight FRCs closing, 33 staff members laid off at 13 FRCs and 17 FRCs dramatically reducing programming. Head Start received no funding for slots or quality enhancement for July and August, which has resulted in one or more classrooms closing at seven classroom sites, affecting almost 200 children and resulting in the layoff of at least 2-3 staff members for each closed classroom; at least three classrooms will close if there is no state funding in September and at least two classrooms will close in September if state funding is inadquate to cover costs. School Readiness did not receive sufficient funding to reimburse for services rendered in July (through the August allotment). Two weeks into August, programs found out they would have an 11% cut, and they have no way of knowing if they will be reimbursed fully, partially or not at all for services rendered in August. As a result, programs may have to cut slots in order to continue operation.