Government Reduces Funding for Opportunities for Otsego, Eight Positions to be Cut

Opportunities for Otsego was notified by the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Head Start that its Head Start Program will have its funds reduced by 4.9-5.1 percent as the result of the Sequester that was implemented at the end of March. This reduction will be effective for the 2013-14 program year.

Opportunities for Otsego was also notified by the New York State Department of State Division of Community Services of a 10 percent cut in its Community Services Block Grant from April 1 to Sept. 30.

OFO officials say these percentages mean cuts in real dollars in the amount of anywhere from $160,000-170,000 and will force the agency to eliminate eight positions as well as day care services for up to 32 families. The cuts will take effect on July 1.