"Any additional slot for these children is so essential," said Nicole Droitsch, community partnership manager for Salt Lake City CAP Head Start Program. "We have seen an increase in our waiting list and a decrease in our federal funding over the past 10 years."

Supporters say the funding would pay for 100 additional slots for eligible children. The funds would allow programs across the state to bring each facility up to its capacity. If approved, Utah would join 16 other states that provide funding to supplement money received from the federal government.

Utah currently has nine Head Start programs that provide comprehensive early childhood education to children age 3 to 5 along with nutritional, social and health services. It serves children who are at or below the federal poverty level.

Last year, Head Start served more than 5,500 children in Utah, but 900 children remain on program waiting lists.

"That means that these 900 children will go into school with no preschool education, no knowledge of their ABCs and 1,2,3s and the things that almost are essential for our children now," Droitsch said.

Sheila Walsh-McDonald, the public policy advocate with Salt Lake City CAP who is leading the effort to secure state funding, said the goal is to bring these children up to standard with their peer groups.

"This is our attempt to broaden our efforts to break the cycle of poverty for 100 more families," she said.

She and other advocates say research shows the program helps reduce the achievement gap, results in higher test scores, reduces the need for students to repeat grades and increases the likelihood of a student graduating.

Head Start staff members said they're seeking the funds now because the program cannot continue without support from the state as federal funding continues to decline.

"Utah is one of the few states that have no early childhood programs, and research consistently shows . . .you need to start earlier," Droitsch said. "The children we serve are the most needy of our community. If we don't speak up for them who will?"

rorellana@sltrib.com