MADISON (WKOW) — The ongoing federal government shutdown is set to impact Wisconsin Head Start programs significantly.

According to the Wisconsin Head Start Association, two programs in the state will lose access to federal funds on Nov. 1, affecting 391 children.

Jennie Mauer, executive director of the Wisconsin Head Start Association, expressed concern over the situation.

"In Wisconsin, we know that the majority of our Head Start families are working in our communities, and when parents don’t have safe child care, they struggle to get to work," Mauer said. "The whole community and our local economy suffers."

The Southwest Community Action Program plans to shut down its nine preschool classrooms by Nov. 3. The program serves families in Iowa, Lafayette, Grant, Green and Richland count

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