Government shutdown imperils dozens of Head Start preschool programs
[October 21, 2025]
By MORIAH BALINGIT
WASHINGTON (AP) — Head Start programs that serve tens of thousands of
the nation's neediest preschoolers are facing a cutoff of federal
funding at the end of the month because of the government shutdown,
leaving many scrambling to figure out how to keep their doors open.
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, more than 65,000 seats at Head Start programs
across the country could be affected.
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 asked
other nonprofits and philanthropies for help, too.
“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.
In Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas warned Head Start centers
that serve 2,300 children will have to shutter if the federal government
remains closed.
“Closing early childhood care for thousands of Kansas City children and
families will have devastating effects on thousands of Kansas City
families, workplaces and, most importantly, kids,” said Lucas, a
Democrat.
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.
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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.
Low-income families that rely on Head Start are facing the prospect
of losing other assistance as well. The Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, better known as
WIC, nearly ran out of money because of the shutdown before
President Donald Trump's administration provided $300 million to
keep it running temporarily. The Republican president's big tax
breaks and spending cuts law also imposes cuts on Medicaid and food
stamps.
Head Start faces a string of challenges
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 Trump's 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.
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. Republicans say they won’t discuss the health care
subsidies, or any other policy, until the government reopens.
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."
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