Early childhood programs could face funding crisis due to government shutdown

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - A Tri-State early childhood program is warning about losing federal funding if a deal is not reached to reopen the government.

Julie Stone with Head Start said programs across Ohio serve more than 27,000 infants, toddlers and preschoolers, with several expecting and depending on federal funding in November, that is now questionable due to the government shutdown.

“And the worst part is it’s babies and toddlers and preschoolers paying the price, and that just isn’t right,” Stone said.

Seven programs face immediate funding gap

According to the Ohio Head Start Association, seven of its programs statewide, serving nearly 4,000 kids, rely on federal funding that would become available on Nov. 1.

“They receive their funds directly from the federal government on a rolling