Sep 10, 2015 2 min read

While most students headed back to school this week, a large portion of eligible youngsters were unable to because of an opportunity gap.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey announced Thursday thousands of children are unable to attend much-needed Head Start and Early Head Start programs because of a lack of funding.

Data provided by Casey’s office revealed fewer than 10 percent of eligible Pennsylvania children up to 3 years old are able to attend the programs. In Washington County, roughly 31 percent of the eligible participants take advantage of Head Start and similar programs. In Greene County, only 42 percent of eligible participants take advantage of the programs available.

Head Start promotes school readiness of young children from low-income families through agencies in their local communities.

“If kids learn more now, they earn more later,” Casey said. “High-quality early learning works.”

Casey said cuts and sequestering have created the current situation. He said lawmakers must act to find long-term solutions and ensure every child has the ability to reach his or her full potential. Additional funding for programs like Head Start is a must, he said.

“A lack of investment in children is a lack of investment in our future,” said Casey. “We must make fundamental choices.”

Casey has made several calls in recent months to increase funding for education.

Head Start eligibility is determined through a variety of factors. Among those eligible are children form families with income at or below the poverty line, children from homeless families and foster and disabled children.

For more information or to find a Head Start program, visit http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc.