What the Sequester Means for Southern Oregon

The countdown is on.

We have less than a week until Congress needs to come to a compromise before cuts hit kids and families who need the most help in our community.

Educators said they’re closely watching what’s going on in Washington DC.

Sabena Vaughan has had four kids in Head Start — the federal early education program that serves low income families and their kids.

“For a lot of us as families, Head Start is the only way that we’re going to be able to get out of the cycle of poverty and be able to educate not only our children but ourselves on how to be better parents,” said Vaughan.

However, if lawmakers in Washingon DC don’t come to a compromise by March 1st, a series of deep budget cuts called the Sequester will hit Head Start. Services would be cut for 600 kids in the Beaver State. In Southern Oregon, the Director of Head Start, Nancy Nordyke, said Sequestration would result in about 50 fewer children receiving services.

Not good, when the waiting list is so long and kids are building a foundation to be successful when they start kindergarten.

“We have a waiting list today of at least 300 children, so we’re anxious to be serving more children not to be cutting back,” said Nordyke.

Meantime, mother Sabena Vaughan just hopes there’s a compromise for her child’s sake.

“I’m saddened that Head Start is going to be one of those programs that will see those cuts if the sequestration goes through.”

However, whether it does, or not remains to be seen in the coming days.

In addition, if Congress can’t agree, Oregon will lose 10.2 million federal dollars for schools, putting about 140 teacher and aide jobs at risk. Plus, when it comes to education for children with disabilities, Oregon stands to lose $6.4 million.

Nationwide, the sequester would cut $1.2 trillion over its 10-year lifespan and $85 billion this fiscal year.

Potential cuts statewide in Oregon include:

Work Study Jobs

– Around 240 fewer low income students would receive aid to help them finance the costs of college.

– About 280 fewer students will get work-study jobs that help them pay for college

Protection for Clean Air and Clean Water

– Oregon would lose around $1,882,000 in environmental funding to ensure clean water and air quality.

– The state could lose another $1,052,000 in grants for fish and wildlife protection

Military Readiness

– About 3,000 civilian Department of Defense employees would be furloughed

– Army base operation funding would be cut by about $1.6 million

Law Enforcement and Public Safety Funds for Crime Prevention and Prosecution

– A loss of roughly $155,000 in Justice Assistance Grants supporting law enforcement, prosecution and courts, crime prevention, etc.

Job Search Assistance to Help those in Oregon find Employment and Training

– Oregon will lose about $470,000 in funding for job search assistance. It means about 16,320 fewer people will get the help they need to find employment.

Child Care

– Up to 300 disadvantaged children could lose access to child care.

Vaccines for Children

– 1,670 fewer children will receive vaccines for diseases due to reduced funding of about $114,000

Public Health

– Oregon will lose approximately $366,000 to help upgrade its ability to respond to public health threats.

– The state will also lose $890,000 in grants to help prevent and treat substance abuse…resulting in about 3800 fewer admissions to substance abuse programs.

Stop Violence Against Women

– A loss of up to $81,000 in money to help victims of domestic violence. 300 fewer victims would be served.

Nutrition Assistance for Seniors

– Oregon would lose about $690,000 to provide meals for seniors.

*Above information obtained from State-by-State breakdown issued by the White House.*

Click Here for the PDF released by the White House.

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