In Luzerne County, some much needed money is on the way for a program that helps children.
The Luzerne County Head Start program helps more than a thousands children in both Luzerne and Wyoming counties. That program is seriously strapped for cash thanks to the state budget impasse.
But Tuesday, they got news that federal money is on the way.
Head Start is a national program that helps children who might not otherwise get to go to pre-school. Tuesday Congressman Paul Kanjorski made a visit to Wilkes-Barre to announce almost $500,000 in federal funding for Luzerne County Head Start.
Head start is funded through both state and federal grant money. Now more than ever the program needs help.
Pennsylvania's budget impasse means no state cash for the center. Already 12 staffers have been let go and 132 children who are signed up for Head Start won't be able to attend when the program starts in more than a week.
"It's very difficult. Families have called and said they don't know what to say to their children because their children are waiting to come to school and they're very disappointed that they can't come," said Lynn Evans Biga, Luzerne County Head Start Director.