JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Fewer workers, fewer funds and fewer children getting the education they need.
"It is heartbreaking. Absolutely heartbreaking to me," said Episcopal Children's Services CEO Connie Stophel.
Stophel is bracing for Friday. Sequestration means her Head Start program will be forced to work with a fraction of its funding. Her employees will be furloughed one day a week for the rest of the school year.
"Certainly it's painful for an employee expecting to be paid for five days to lose 20 percent of his salary and benefits and so forth and for children to lose that day in high-quality learning is huge."
Head Start isn't alone. And in a new report from Florida TaxWatch, it suggests another recession is likely. It's something Economics Professor Paul Mason has been discussing with his classes.
"The potential certainly exists for cuts to be made at the federal level that could impact this area quite harshly," he said.
While he says a recession is possible, he can't help but agree with the game plan, saying it's about time Congress got its finances in order.
"The government seems unwilling or unable to make cuts when necessary and this may be the only opportunity we have."
But for Stophel's staff, that means hardships and struggles.
"It will just be painful," she said.
Stophel says next school year, they'll be forced to turn away 65 children and layoff 20 employees.
