As the federal shutdown continues, local programs are feeling the direct impact. Early Head Start‘s childhood care and education programs in Iowa could close their doors on Halloween as a result.
Community Action of Eastern Iowa (CAEI) has provided early education through their head start programs for sixty years. Their services rely on a federal grant that cycles through every five years. This year, their approval process was halted because of the government shutdown.
If it continues through the end of the month their doors will have to close.
“I’ve been with this agency for 16 years, and this has never happened, or in the 60 years of Head Start, this is the first it’s impacted us this way,” says Lisa Raya, CAEI Early Head Start Director.
Nearly 300 children receive care through CAEI Head Start programs.
“There is no infant and toddler care that’s free for families,” says an emotional Raya.
She details what’s exactly at risk here.
The program’s five-year grant is set to expire October 31st. Facilities in Scott, Clinton and Muscatine counties are preparing to close.
“The impact is vast, but it’s the impact on the kids,” says Daniel Sheridan, CAEI Chief Executive Officer.
The families that rely on these programs might not have alternative resources.
“The people who qualify for head start are almost all living at the poverty line. The poverty line for a family of four is $31,500,” says Sheridan. “Nearly 80% of our families also are receiving support for food each month through snap.”
Early childcare is critical.
“A child who receives early care and education and supports when they’re young end up being twice as likely to be kindergarten ready, three times as likely to be on a third grade reading level, which then leads to five times more likely to graduate high school,” says Sheridan.
Sheridan says the application process this year seemed normal, at first.
“It’s cliche, but it really does give kids a head start,” says Traci Owens. She is the Early Head Start Childcare Program Director at SAL Community Services in Moline.
In Illinois, funding for their head start programs are on a different cycle.
“Fortunately for us, we’re funded through February of 2026,” says Owens.
But it’s the unknown that remains a concern.
“Normally, if there’s a shut down that delays funding, pretty much you can count on that money getting back paid,” says Owens. “But they’re telling us now that we can’t really rely on that. It’s not guaranteed.”
Head Start filed for the non-competing grant in August and are waiting for the government to reopen for approval. As they wait, 45 employees working at five local centers will be laid off.
Families and employees at these locations have been notified.