The Kansas Head Start Association says 440 fewer children will be able to participate in its programs because of sequester cuts.
Before the federal budget cuts took effect earlier this year, Kansas Head Start programs had more than 9,000 slots for children from low-income families. The sequester this year reduced Head Start's budget by over 5 percent.
Head Start is designed to combat poverty by offering preschool education, improving early-childhood nutrition and well-being, and encouraging parent involvement.
Child Start administers an Early Head Start program in Wichita. Public Affairs Director Anne Maak says the sequester meant Child Start lost 74 spots for kids.
Maak says though Child Start is a non-profit with community support, that's not enough to cover the gap. She says, "without federal funding, we could probably not reinstate those 74 children."
See also: reactions to Head Start cuts in Topeka
