From ABC12News 1/27/2026
For years, parents of young children have been able to turn to regional programs called Great Start Collaboratives to help connect them with child development resources, child-care information and free books.
But now, a cut in the state budget is forcing some communities to close their programs or reduce services.
The state’s $24.12 billion education budget did not include $19.4 million that the state had previously allocated for intermediate school districts to operate Great Start Collaboratives and $4 million for book distribution efforts.
Read more here
