COLUMBUS – The ongoing federal government shutdown is putting thousands of Ohio children and families at risk, with seven Head Start providers exhausting their current federal funds by November 1 if Congress fails to act.
According to the Ohio Head Start Association, Inc. (OHSAI), those seven programs serve 3,738 children across the state. Without congressional action to pass a full FY26 budget or a short-term continuing resolution (CR) that the President can sign, programs could face imminent closure—forcing 940 staff members off the job and leaving working parents without the child care they rely on.
“Every day the shutdown continues, Ohio children and families are paying the price,” said Julie Stone, Executive Director of the Ohio Head Start Association, Inc. “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 services to low-income children ages birth to five. Program closures would disrupt care, learning, and access to vital supports such as meals and health screenings.
OHSAI is urging Congress to take immediate action to end the shutdown and protect Ohio’s most vulnerable children.
