Cutbacks in Head Start services are being considered by Albany Community Action Partnership, a nonprofit grant recipient selected by the federal government to administer this program.
Kathleen Cloutier, ACAP's executive director, indicates that Head Start services in Ravena, Berne-Knox-Westerlo, and a program in the Watervliet Housing Authority may be cut. She attributes this to sequestration.
Ms. Cloutier attended meetings of the County Legislature's Republican conference to discuss cutbacks. A copy of the sequestration directive was requested; but there are no written orders regarding Head Start fiscal cutbacks, and no written guidance relating to cuts. Reductions seem arbitrary and discretionary.
It appears as though ACAP's proposed actions are subjective and directed at program recipients, rather than addressing cost reductions in non-service areas. If cutbacks are needed, areas like administrative salaries, consolidation of program sites, and use of rent-free facilities should be the first things considered.
This case shows the failure of the federal government to manage programs it oversees, thereby causing confusion among organizations that administer them.
Christine Benedict
Colonie
The writer is the minority leader of the Albany County Legislature.