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Resident urges county to oppose Head Start cuts, citing local economic and child-care impacts
Summary
A Cortez resident told commissioners that proposed cuts to Head Start would harm children and local economy, noting local Head Start sites and citing a Colorado cost-benefit study showing $4.34 return per $1 invested.
During the April 22 public-comment period, Mary Dodd of Cortez urged Montezuma County commissioners to tell U.S. Representative Hurd that cuts to Head Start funding would harm local children, families and the county economy.
Dodd, who identified herself as a Cortez resident and local landowner, described the county’s Head Start capacity and locations. “We’re fortunate in this county to have a brick and mortar Head Start, Mesa View, that can serve up to 16 toddlers that are 1 to 3 years old, 5 days a week, and 34 preschoolers that are 3 to 5 year olds, 4 days a week,” she said. She also listed Head Start slots in Mancos Early Learning Center, The Nest (Mancos) and Teddy Bear Preschool in Dolores.
Dodd cited a Colorado cost-benefit analysis she said shows a $4.34 return for every $1 invested in Head Start and described broader economic impacts: preschool teachers and parents live and spend locally, enabling parental workforce participation. “Everybody depends on somebody who depends on childcare, and every sector of our economy would fail without childcare,” Dodd said.
The remarks were delivered during the public comment portion of the county meeting; no board action on Head Start funding was recorded at the April 22 session.
