LOCALIZE IT: Head Start centers are weighing how long they can run without federal funds
By MORIAH BALINGIT
AP Education Writer
EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS:
The government shutdown is cutting off federal funding for Head Start centers around the country.
Since the shutdown began, only six programs have missed out on federal grant payments they had been expecting. But dozens more are due disbursements on Nov. 1. That money will not arrive unless the government reopens between now and then.
Many Head Start operators have begun counting the number of days they would be able to stay open without federal money.
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.
Head Start centers serve hundreds of thousands of low-income families. The preschools provide 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.
Here is a guide to covering the government shutdown’s impact for local Head Start centers as well as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, another program relied upon by many low-income families.
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READ AP’S COVERAGE
Government shutdown imperils dozens of Head Start preschool programs
WIC food program receives $300M to keep running during government shutdown
Government shutdown threatens WIC food aid program
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FIND YOUR STATE: HOW MANY HEAD START SEATS ARE AT RISK?
Six Head Start programs were set to start grant cycles on Oct. 1, but received no federal funding. Another 134 programs are set to be funded on Nov. 1, but that money will not arrive unless the government reopens, according to the National Head Start Association.
All told, slots for more than 65,000 children could be impacted in programs that typically receive federal disbursements either Oct. 1 or Nov. 1. NHSA has broken down the number of seats by state that would be affected. Those figures are available here.
Without federal funding, many centers will draw on emergency local resources. Others have said they will need to close when the federal money is cut off.
Data on how much the U.S. government spends annually for Head Start centers is available here: https://headstart.gov/browse/series/head-start-program-annual-fact-sheets
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WIC
Among other programs imperiled by the shutdown is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC. The shutdown hit right before it was due to receive its annual appropriation. The Trump administration has allocated $300 million to keep it running for now. That money for most states is set to dry up before the second week of November.
Some states — but not all — said they will use state money if necessary to plug the gaps and keep WIC money flowing until the federal government reopens and they can be reimbursed. County governments have also pitched in to save the program for their residents.
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service has extensive information on how widely WIC is used. In fiscal year 2024, it amounted to over $7 billion in aid. Data tables on this site include state-by-state breakdowns of participation and average food cost to serve women and infants: https://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/wic-program
Though both are under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, WIC differs from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, because SNAP participants can buy almost any grocery item they want — regardless of the nutritional value. With WIC, recipients can only buy approved products that meet federal nutrition guidelines, including certain infant formulas, whole grain breads, eggs, milk and fresh produce. The goal is to help low-income households purchase nutritious staples that might normally be out of reach.
Only children under 5 and new and expectant mothers qualify for the program.
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CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS
— How are Head Start centers preparing for a possible end of federal grant money? Do they have financial reserves or enough assistance from local governments to continue operating without it?
— What contingency plans are families making in the event their local Head Start closes? Are there other child care options they can afford that would allow them to continue going to work?
— How are impacts on Head Start centers playing into political discussions around the government shutdown and social safety net programs. Head Start has a history of bipartisan support, but under the Trump administration it has faced calls for its funding to be cut back.
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Localize It is a resource produced regularly by The Associated Press for its customers’ use. Questions can be directed to the Local News Success team at localizeit@ap.org. View guides published in the last 30 days here.
