DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) - A federal funding freeze could shut down early learning programs serving 294 children in Scott, Clinton and Muscatine counties by Oct. 31.

The Family Enrichment Center in Davenport faces a countdown as their federal grant expires at the end of the month. Without congressional approval, funding stops for the Head Start program.

“Without a new grant, a new five-year grant, we can’t continue services,” said Daniel Sheridan, CEO of Community Action of Eastern Iowa. “We were all set up for that grant approval, but when the government shut down in October, it wasn’t approved.”

Raya adding that roughly 45 staff members would be laid off.

Free program serves families below poverty line

Head Start serves children across three counties, with most families living below t

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