The latest budget cuts from Washington could possibly have a trickle down effect all the way to the local Head Start program in Centre and Clearfield Counties.

The sequestration that started March 1st could translate into a 5%, or $300,000 cut, in federal funding. 

Ahmed Banya is an international grad student at Penn State. His two children are enrolled in the Head Start program. It's something not offered in his native country.

“Coming here and learning about a program like this to educate a child that young, what a beautiful thing,” he said.

The program is run by Cen-Clear, and nearly 800 children are enrolled. 

The children are from families who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford to send their kids to preschool. For example, a family of four must make less than $24,000 a year to qualify. 

Dr. Gene Kephart, Cen-Clear's executive director, said the program is important for the future of these children.

“It's critically important because the early developing years has such an inpact on a child's development as they become ready for school age,” he said.

These programs are  funded by the federal government, and the automatic budget cuts could mean they'll lose 5% of that funding. If that happens, 50 students could be left without a seat in the classroom.

Dr. Kephart said children already enrolled won't lose their place, but the cuts would mean fewer children in need will be accepted. 

It's not clear when these cuts will actually go into effect or how long they'll last.