BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Head Start programs were not supposed to be affected by the Trump administration’s funding freeze, but local Vermont chapters say they have not been able to access funding.
The federal program that provides child care and preschool to low-income children is funded through five-year grants.
Christy Swenson with Vermont Head Start says some programs have not received funding since last week and some employees have not been paid. The state has five Head Start programs and she is worried the ongoing lack of funding could force some to close.
“My worry is that Head Start Programs will be under a lot of stress. Their employees, in some cases, some programs, don’t have a savings account. If they aren’t getting those funds, they have no way to pay,” Swenson said.
New York has already had to close two of its Head Start programs.
The National Head Start Association has called on the president to address the funding issues.