Coast Head Starts Program Faces Losing Funding
Over 1,300 underprivileged 3 and 4 year olds from the Gulf Coast area receive education, nutrition, and social development activities from the Gulf Coast Community Action Agency’s Head Start program. Kimberly Lee, a Coast resident and parent, says, "My daughter went two years and she’s a straight A student. It helped her so much going to Head Start."
Unfortunately, the program is facing losing its funding due to several reports of child abuse at its Isaiah Fredricks and Nichols locations. According to Gulf Coast Community Action Agency officials, they failed to instill an effective system to timely correct staff from using corporal punishment. Lee also says, "I think it’s messed up. My daughters went to both of them. I think they shouldn’t take it away from the kids whose parents need that."
Tyrone Simmonds, another Coast resident, says, "Kids are our future and they have to have a place to start life, so with them losing that, where are they supposed to start?"
Phyllis Owens, another resident, says, "Well, I don’t think it’s good because the young children need somewhere to go and they need to be educated before they get into elementary school."
Parents like Lee say not only does it help boost a child’s education, but it also helps them become more independent. Lee also says, "A lot of children are so clingy to their parents now and with Head Start, they get that benefit of being without their parents."
Rose McLemore, a resident of the Coast, closes, "They need to get rid of that. I don’t believe in corporal punishment whatsoever, but I do think it’s a great program for the kids, but I don’t believe in corporal punishment."
According to officials who oversee the program, the termination of funds will not be immediate as they have 30 days to appeal.
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