""Losing a Head Start program has detrimental effects not just on children and families, but also has immense ripple effects on the community," said Melanee Cottrill, executive director of Head Start California. "Head Start is far more than a safe place for children to learn and grow - it's a community hub ... The negative effect on regional employment and the local economy would be felt many times over.""
"Encompass Community Services, a Santa Cruz nonprofit, was forced to close all 11 of its Head Start centers on Thursday because no one at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was available to process the group's Nov. 1 grant renewal or send money. "Head Start is part of the fabric of this community," said Elaine Johnson, chair of the Encompass board. "This is about babies, children, and families not having access to basic needs.""
Federal funding disruptions from the government shutdown have closed one California Head Start program and threaten several others, leaving families scrambling for child care and teachers without income. Encompass Community Services closed all 11 of its centers after U.S. Department of Health and Human Services staff were unavailable to process a Nov. 1 grant renewal or send funds, displacing about 300 enrolled children. Three additional California programs face Nov. 1 deadlines and imminent closure, with four more at risk on Dec. 1 if the shutdown continues. More than 3,000 children and hundreds of teachers could be affected across eight centers, harming regional employment and local economies.
Read at San Jose Inside
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