Middlesex Head Start Provider Advocating for Programs as Sequester Looms

Middlesex County Head Start programs are preparing for potential funding cuts following the White House’s announcement of the impact of a sequester on New Jersey.

Acelero Learning, a group of Head Start learning centers, has multiple facilities in Middlesex County and provides care to expectant mothers and children up to 5 years old.    

According to a director at the Monmouth/Middlesex County Headquarters in Perth Amboy, the Acelero Learning Head Start programs have been expecting cuts in funding for months.

"We have been aware of tax spending cuts since December with the fiscal cuts. We are preparing for cuts, but are advocating at the federal level to not lose programs,” said the director, who declined to give his name since he was not authorized to speak to reporters. 

Acelero Learning's seven Middlesex County facilities are in Woodbridge, New Brunswick, South Amboy, Perth Amboy, North Brunswick and Carteret, and offer child care, prepared meals, health screenings and even extended hour care at some locations.

Together with the five Monmouth County facilities, Acelero Learning centers serve over 1,200 children in Central Jersey, according to its Web site. The centers opened in 2005.

According to the White House’s Sunday announcement, Head Start and Early Head Start services face cuts and would be eliminated for approximately 1,300 children in New Jersey if Congress fails to halt $85 billion in sequestration spending cuts scheduled to take hold March 1.