"Head Start programs that serve more than 58,000 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."
"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."
More than 58,000 preschoolers enrolled in Head Start programs face disruptions as federal funding is cut off at month’s end because of the government shutdown. The program relies almost entirely on federal grants that are issued annually with no carryover of unspent funds. Several programs already missed disbursements on Oct. 1 and are operating on dwindling reserves, local advances, and lines of credit. If the shutdown continues, another 134 programs will miss Nov. 1 payments, potentially affecting over 65,000 children. Programs are seeking emergency measures, staff are being asked to consider unpaid work, and local agencies and philanthropies are being solicited for aid.
Read at www.orlandosentinel.com
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