Overview
- The National Head Start Association reports a new funding lapse Saturday that could disrupt services for nearly 60,000 families across 41 states.
- The Department of Health and Human Services said more than 58,000 children are on course to lose access to Head Start funding and programs on November 1 due to the shutdown.
- In Wisconsin, Southwest Community Action Program will close nine preschool classrooms by November 3 and plans to furlough 34 staff, while Sheboygan’s Human Rights Association expects emergency state funds to last only through mid-November.
- Advocates warn closures would halt in-school therapies for children with disabilities, and programs are required to reserve about 10% of seats for those students.
- Operators are depleting reserves and seeking local stopgaps as more than 100 organizations urge Congress to end the shutdown, with lawmakers continuing to trade blame.