Congresswoman Matsui Celebrates 30 Years of SETA's Head Start Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 12, 2012

CONTACT: ALANA JUTEAU
(202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Celebrates 30 Years of SETA's Head Start Program
Highlights the Significant Cuts the Republican Budget Would Make to the Program

CA - Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) joined the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA) to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their Head Start program, and to call attention to the significant cuts the Ryan Republican budget would make to the program. The Head Start program delivers services committed to child development, school readiness, health and nutrition, mental health, and family support.

"The Head Start program is critical for so many of our regionand#39;s children and families, and I commend SETA on thirty years of dedicated service through this program," said Congresswoman Matsui. "We know that starting oneand#39;s education early is essential to setting our children up for success in the future, and Head Start programs have proven benefits, from academic achievement to improved social skills, that provide participants a head start in life. I will continue working to support the SETA Head Start program so that more of our regionand#39;s children get the support they need."

The SETA Head Start program began in 1981, and, in its first year, served 320 children. Today, SETA Head Start serves more than 7,690 Sacramento families and children in 122 locations across the county. Across the nation, over 900,000 children participate in Head Start programs each year. These programs have been shown to have positive effects on vocabulary, literacy and social skills, and to improve health and cognitive outcomes in participating children. Head Start programs have also increased high school graduation and college attendance rates.

Kathy Kossick, SETA Executive Director, said, "SETA Head Start is proud to celebrate 30 years of providing quality comprehensive child development services to our community. Through the vigorous efforts of our staff, delegate agencies and partners, we continue to provide exceptional service for the most vulnerable families and their children in Sacramento County."

The Republican budget for FY2013 would cut $1.5 billion from the Head Start program, which would result in 200,000 children being kicked out of the program every year over the next decade.

Matsui added, "In our rush to reduce the deficit, we cannot lose sight of our future. Our children are our future and we must preserve their educational opportunities."

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