CANTON, Ohio -- Ohio's leaders are trying to close a $3.2 million deficit and as a result, funding for many programs is being slashed.
One such program is the Early Initiative Program, which helps high-risk children.
ELI has been praised but now its future is up in the air.
The program serves children who don't qualify for most other subsidized programs. Gov. Ted Strickland said he had to make some difficult choices to balance the budget, but some say cutting education programs doesn't add up.
The state-funded preschool program for low-income families has been a huge successes in local cities, accounts for 24 percent of the budget at the YWCA in Canton, a class of 25 that could be cut to 13.
Budget cuts proposed by the governor call for a statewide elimination of ELI, reduction in subsidized care and a decrease in provider rates by 5 percent, a huge hit to child-care agencies.
The YWCA says the cost of losing the ELI program would be more than $200,000: Take that money from child care centers across the state and expect more then one day care to be closing its doors.