ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOX) – Early childhood education advocates in St. Louis are hoping to get back some of the funding cut by the Missouri legislator last year.

“We actually have some programming in our state, that again, seems to be somewhat tenuous,” Nancy Spargo, of the Regional Early Childhood Council said at a panel discussion about funding on Monday.

However Spargo stressed many programs are important. She says it’s often difficult to determine whether a child is having issues because of developmental problems or due to the environment in which they’re being raised.

Spargo lists the program, Parents as Teachers, as one program that is proven to actually work. “So we’re screening kids at a very early age.”

Legislators from both the Missouri House and Senate were on the panel, and said they’d also like to see the cuts restored.