NEWARK, N.J. - As the first month of the sequester draws to a close, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today met with members of the New Jersey Head Start Association and directors of local Head Start programs to discuss the expected effects of the sequester's pending budget cuts.

"Make no mistake, our children are among the many Americans caught in the crossfire of the partisan politics that led to the sequester going into effect," said Senator Menendez. "I am grateful to the Head Start educators and advocates who met with me today and voiced their concerns. I am even more grateful for their dedication in providing young minds with the foundations of future academic success and reaching their potential to lead our nation to a better future. But for all of the good Head Start accomplishes, it is one of many federal programs in danger of shriveling on the vine to the peril of our own future. I urge my colleagues in Washington to resolve this impending crisis before it takes root."

Among those who met with the Senator Menendez today were:

  • Veronica Ray, Newark Leaguers and President of the NJ Head Start Association
  • Audrey Fletcher Lee, Montclair Child Development Center
  • Lorraine C. Johnson, North Hudson County CAP Head Start
  • Lesuia Matos, North Hudson Head Start/Early Head Start, West New York
  • Jacqueline P. Crawford, Newark Pre-School Council
  • Dr. Lillian Ramos, Passaic County Head Start
  • Carol Harris, Jersey City Head Start

Head Start is a federal program that promotes the school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development. Head Start programs provide comprehensive services to enrolled children and their families, which include health, nutrition, social services and other services determined to be necessary by family needs assessments, in addition to education and cognitive development services.

Head Start was founded as part of Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty in 1965. Since then, Head Start has grown from an eight-week demonstration project to include full day/year services and numerous program options. Head Start has served over 30 million children and their families in urban and rural areas in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories.

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