Introduction to Government Shutdown and Head Start Programs
The government shutdown has put a significant strain on various federal programs, including the Head Start preschool programs that serve over 58,000 of the nation’s neediest preschoolers. These programs, which are almost entirely funded by the federal government, are facing a cutoff of federal funding at the end of the month, leaving many scrambling to figure out how to keep their doors open.
How Head Start Programs are Affected
The early education initiative is funded almost entirely by the federal government, making it particularly vulnerable to funding disruptions. The programs — which are run by schools, local governments and nonprofits — receive new grants annually and are not allowed to carry over unspent money. With new grants on hold, a half dozen Head Start programs already missed federal disbursements they were expecting on Oct. 1 and are staying open with fast-dwindling reserves or help from local governments. Another 134 programs will not receive federal money that is due Nov. 1 if the government does not reopen, according to the National Head Start Association. All told, centers serving more than 65,000 children could be affected.
Impact on Local Head Start Programs
In Tallahassee, Florida, a Head Start program run by Capital Area Community Action Agency, Inc. has been running on “fumes” since it stopped receiving federal money at the start of the month, interim CEO Nina Singleton Self said. It is drawing down reserves, getting an advance on a city grant and taking out a line of credit, but those funds will run dry this week. To stay open beyond that, Self is asking how many staff members would work without pay. She’s also steeling them for financial uncertainty, advising them on how to take loans out from their retirement accounts or apply to programs that would help them pay utility bills. She’s also asked other nonprofits and philanthropies for help. “We’re reaching out for everything that we can,” Self said.
Preschool centers count the days they could stay open
Another organization in north Florida that operates eight rural Head Start centers for 365 kids was cut off Oct. 1 and has enough funding to keep its doors open until the end of November. “After that … I don’t really know what to tell you,” said Michele Ward, executive director of Suwanee Valley Community Coordinated Child Care. Rekah Strong, who leads a Vancouver, Washington-based organization that operates Head Start centers, said some likely will have to shut down around Nov. 1, when the organization would normally receive its federal grant. She doesn’t see other funding options.
Consequences of Closing Head Start Centers
Closing a center even briefly has ripple effects, Head Start leaders warn. The early education program provides two meals a day to students, along with medical screenings and dental care. Many of the children who attend Head Start have parents working in hourly jobs who risk losing work if they do not have child care. “Every day this shutdown continues, programs are forced to make impossible choices just to keep their doors open. Children cannot wait,” said Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association.
History and Challenges of Head Start
Launched six decades ago as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty, Head Start has a history of bipartisan support but has faced calls this year for its funding to be cut back. A budget document showed the White House weighed shutting down Head Start altogether, a prospect that led to an outcry from both sides of the aisle before the administration backed away from the proposal. Project 2025, a detailed set of policy recommendations authored by the conservative Heritage Foundation, recommended eliminating Head Start. In January, Head Start operators struggled to access their federal money because of problems with the government’s online portal. Some had to shut down temporarily.
Shutdown and Health Care
The shutdown began when Congress failed to pass a bill to fund the government. In a standoff with the Trump administration, Democrats are insisting on the extension of tax credits that make health insurance cheaper for millions of Americans and the restoration of cuts made to Medicaid. Without the tax credits, more than 20 million Americans on Affordable Care Act plans would see their health care costs rise. Joel Ryan, executive director of the Washington Head Start Association, said he is eager for Congress to end the shutdown. But he said he also knows that many Head Start families and staff members rely on Medicaid and on the Affordable Care Act plans. “I’m glad that the Democrats are fighting to restore health care access,” Ryan said. “I’m also really cognizant of the ramifications of the government shutdown.”
Conclusion
The government shutdown has put the future of Head Start programs in jeopardy, leaving thousands of preschoolers without access to essential education and care services. As the shutdown continues, it is essential for Congress to find a solution to fund the government and restore funding to these critical programs. The consequences of inaction will be severe, with many centers facing closure and families struggling to make ends meet.
FAQs
Q: What is the Head Start program?
A: Head Start is a federal program that provides early childhood education and care services to low-income families.
Q: How many children are affected by the government shutdown?
A: Over 65,000 children could be affected by the shutdown, as centers serving these children may be forced to close due to lack of funding.
Q: What services do Head Start programs provide?
A: Head Start programs provide two meals a day, medical screenings, dental care, and education services to preschoolers.
Q: Why are Head Start programs vulnerable to funding disruptions?
A: Head Start programs are almost entirely funded by the federal government and are not allowed to carry over unspent money, making them particularly vulnerable to funding disruptions.
Q: What is the impact of the shutdown on Head Start families and staff?
A: The shutdown has severe consequences for Head Start families and staff, including the risk of center closures, loss of child care, and financial uncertainty.
Originally Published: October 20, 2025 at 2:06 PM EDT
