Overview
- About 140 programs serving roughly 65,000 children did not receive scheduled federal grants as of Nov. 1, and full or partial closures have already disrupted more than 8,000 children.
- States and local partners are plugging gaps temporarily, including a $20 million advance in Massachusetts, an $8 million loan to major providers in Atlanta, and a 60-day state funding plan under development in Oregon.
- Ohio reports two providers closed in Highland and Scioto counties, affecting about 600 children and furloughing 150 staff, with additional programs warning they could shut down within weeks without federal funds.
- Migrant Head Start networks have suspended sites, including the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project affecting about 1,200 children, leaving farmworker families without child care, meals and health services.
- Chicago providers warn of new disruptions if Dec. 1 grants remain stalled, with nearly 14,000 children enrolled locally and major grantees preparing contingency plans.