COLUMBUS, Ohio — The ongoing federal government shutdown is threatening to disrupt essential early childhood education services across Ohio, with seven Head Start providers projected to run out of federal funding by November 1 if Congress fails to reach a budget agreement.
According to the Ohio Head Start Association, Inc. (OHSAI), the affected programs serve 3,738 children statewide. Without new funding or a short-term continuing resolution, those centers may be forced to close their doors — leaving 940 staff members out of work and thousands of working parents without reliable child care.
“Every day the shutdown continues, Ohio children and families are paying the price,” said Julie Stone, Executive Director of OHSAI. “Head Start is not a political issue—it’s a lifeline. Congress must act now to restore funding, keep classrooms open, and protect the stability of families, the staff who serve them, and communities.”
Head Start provides comprehensive early learning, nutrition, and family support to low-income children from birth to age five. Program closures could halt not only classroom learning but also critical services such as meals, health screenings, and family assistance that many families depend on.
The OHSAI is calling on Congress to take immediate action to end the shutdown and protect access to Head Start programs across Ohio before thousands of children lose vital support.
