US government shutdown threatens Head Start funding: Here’s why vulnerable preschoolers are at risk

The ongoing US government shutdown is putting federal funding for Head Start programmes at risk, leaving tens of thousands of vulnerable preschoolers without guaranteed access to early education.

These programmes, which serve some of the nation’s neediest children, rely almost entirely on annual federal grants that cannot be carried over, making them highly vulnerable to funding disruptions.As the shutdown continues, many Head Start centres are struggling to stay open without federal support. Some have already missed funding disbursements, forcing them to draw on reserves or seek emergency help from local authorities.

If the government remains closed, over 130 programmes are set to lose their next round of federal funding, potentially affecting more than 65,000 children nationwide, according to the National Head Start Association.Head start funding cuts threaten ongoing operationsHead Start is an early education initiative funded primarily by the federal government, with programmes run by schools, local governments, and non-profit organisations.

These grants are essential for daily operations, including meals, medical screenings, dental care, and other services vital for low-income families. Because unused funds cannot be rolled over, any delay or cancellation of grants forces programmes into financial uncertainty.In Tallahassee, Florida, the Capital Area Community Action Agency Inc., which runs a Head Start programme, stopped receiving federal money at the start of October.

Interim CEO Nina Singleton Self told the Associated Press the centre is “running on fumes,” drawing down reserves, taking advances on city grants, and using lines of credit to keep the programme open. She is preparing staff for unpaid work and advising them on financial assistance options.

“We’re reaching out for everything that we can,” Self said, as quoted by the Associated Press.Similarly, in north Florida, an organisation operating eight rural Head Start centres has funds to stay open only until the end of November.

Michele Ward, the executive director of Suwanee Valley Community Coordinated Child Care, said, “I don’t really know what to tell you” beyond that point, as reported by the Associated Press.Closures could have wider impacts on families and communitiesThe Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, Quinton Lucas, warned that Head Start centres serving 2,300 children will have to shut if the government shutdown continues. He emphasised the severe consequences for families, workplaces, and children, as quoted by the Associated Press.Rekah Strong, who leads a Vancouver, Washington-based organisation operating Head Start centres, said some programmes may close around November 1 without federal grants, with no clear alternative funding options. The National Head Start Association’s executive director, Yasmina Vinci, stressed the difficult choices programmes face: “Every day this shutdown continues, programs are forced to make impossible choices just to keep their doors open.

Children cannot wait,” Vinci said, as quoted by the Associated Press.Additional assistance programmes also affected by shutdownLow-income families relying on Head Start may also lose other support. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nearly ran out of funds before the Trump administration provided $300 million to keep it operational temporarily. The shutdown has also affected Medicaid and food stamps, which have faced cuts tied to recent tax breaks and spending laws.Long history of funding challenges amid political disputesHead Start was created over six decades ago as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty and has traditionally enjoyed bipartisan backing. However, this year the programme faced calls for funding reductions. The Trump administration considered shutting down Head Start entirely, according to budget documents, but backed away after bipartisan opposition. The conservative Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 even recommended eliminating Head Start.Earlier this year, some operators faced difficulties accessing federal funds due to technical issues with government portals, causing temporary closures.The shutdown started after Congress failed to pass a funding bill, with Democrats demanding extensions of tax credits and restoration of Medicaid cuts, while Republicans refused to discuss health care subsidies until the government reopens. Joel Ryan, executive director of the Washington Head Start Association, said he hopes Congress ends the shutdown soon but acknowledged the serious consequences for families relying on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, as quoted by the Associated Press.