Will Idaho Head Start programs close with continued shutdown?
As the federal government shutdown stretches into another month, some pre-K and early childhood programs across the country could be forced to shut down without funding, leaving families without child care and other services they rely on.
But Idaho families don’t have to worry yet, said Megan Woller, the executive director of the Idaho Head Start Association.
Head Start, a national program, provides early childhood education programs and other support services, such as meals and medical and behavioral health screenings, for low-income children 5 and younger. Idaho received over $68 million for its Head Start programs from October 2023 to September 2024, according to the federal Office of Head Start.
Idaho has 13 grantees with over 80 locations across the state, serving more than 3,200 kids, according to the Idaho Head Start Association’s 2024 community assessment.
The program relies on federal grants to keep running. But those funds go out to programs at different times during the year. Whether centers are impacted will depend on when they typically receive that money.
In Idaho, one of the Head Start program expected to get its funds on Nov. 1, Woller said. Though it was able to find other funds to stay open through November, it could be at risk of shuttering after that. She declined to name the program.
After November, it’s unclear whether that program will be able to make up the funds again if the government remains closed. Another program in Idaho could be at risk in January if the shutdown lasts until then, Woller told the Idaho Statesman, but those program administrators are hopeful the government will reopen by then.
Families may be eligible for the free programs if they meet certain federal criteria, such as being below the federal poverty line or receiving federal assistance, such as food stamps.
The federal government has been shut down since Oct. 1 as Republicans and Democrats are at a stalemate over health insurance subsidies cut in the GOP’s latest budget proposal.
The shutdown means across the country, about 10% of children who use Head Start services — around 65,000 kids — will be in danger of their pre-K and early learning centers closing as of Nov. 1, according to the National Head Start Association. Head Start was started part of an effort to provide child development programs to low-income children.
In a statement, the National Head Start Association warned lawmakers that the closures could mean families could have to miss work to watch their children and risk losing “the learning, nutrition, health services and stability they depend on.” Across the country, some programs are already preparing to close their pre-K classrooms, with no additional funds to tap into, according to news reports.
“For thousands of families, Head Start is not optional — it is essential.” Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association, said in a statement. “Congress must act now to end the shutdown and protect these children, families, and communities.”
