1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

Head Start preschools across the country are facing severe funding shortages this year, with nearly $1 billion less in federal funding distributed compared to the same period last year. This lag in funding has already forced some Head Start centers to close classrooms and lay off staff, impacting access to early childhood education and support services for hundreds of low-income children and families. The Trump administration's efforts to downsize the federal government, including layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services which oversees Head Start, have contributed to delays in processing grants that these preschools rely on to operate. Without immediate action to release the congressionally appropriated funds, more Head Start providers may be forced to shut down temporarily or permanently, jeopardizing a vital program that has enjoyed bipartisan support for decades in providing comprehensive services to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Ensuring these at-risk children have access to quality early learning opportunities is critical for their development and long-term prospects.