Oklahoma families feel the impact as federal shutdown pauses child care subsidy program

The federal government shutdown is hitting yet another program Oklahoma families depend on. State officials say new applications and renewals for the Child Care Subsidy program are being paused, leaving parents and providers uncertain about what comes next.

Oklahoma Human Services announced that the Child Care Subsidy program is among 29 programs affected by the loss of federal funding during the shutdown. Nearly three-quarters of the agency’s funding comes from federal sources.

At Ruth Dropkin Head Start in southeast Oklahoma City, the classrooms are still full, and the learning continues, for now. The center is funded through a grant that doesn’t expire until next year, giving staff and parents temporary relief.

“The teachers love being here, the kids love coming to school,” said Jacq