As Michigan lawmakers continue their budget debates, the future of thousands of young children hangs in the balance. For the immediate future, over 30,000 children will not be able to attend preschool this fall.  Often, students of the Great Start Readiness Program are kids that need preschool to overcome life situations that place them at-risk. 

What about the domino effect?  A great many parents of GSRP preschoolers work, and without the program, they will be forced to deal with the added costs of daycare.  How will low and moderate income families handle the added costs?  When the kids start kindergarten, how many will have a difficult time transitioning?  How many will be identified as "delayed" because they are not quite ready for the academic rigors of kindergarten?  How many will build an instant dislike for school, leading to more disciplinary problems, increased drop-out rates and higher crime rates

The answers to these questions are not readily available, but if GSRP funding is cut, the answers will unfortunately become all too clear.

Nearly 200 "at-risk" four-year-olds may be told their Mid Michigan Community Action preschool is closed if the Michigan House of Representatives follows the Senate's reccomendation to eliminate funding for the Great Start School Readiness Program.

Thousands more state-wide may also be without valuable preschool if funding is cut.

"The impact of these cuts would be devastating to young children--not just in mid-Michigan, but throughout the state, Joleen Golden, MMCAA Early Childhood Services Director, said.  "It is impossible to calculate the long term consequences of eliminating these vital programs."

Additionally, 16-20 staff in Clare, Gladwin and Mecosta Counties may lose their jobs.  All of these areas areas are already devastated by unemployment. 

An online petition started by the MiAEYC has been sent to all of the Representatives regarding House Bill 4447.  Those interested in contacting their Representatives, click here.

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