Head Start programs face financial challenges as government shutdown continues

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Helping low-income children and families access education is an investment that pays off for the entire country, says Khari Garvin, president and CEO of Family Services of Forsyth County.

“The way that I like to think about it is Head Start is one of several programs that’s part of our nation’s prescription to end poverty,” Garvin said. 

Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide free learning and development services to children in low-income families. The ages of participants range from birth to 5 years old.

Most programs receive funding from the federal government, and some have not received those payments because of the ongoing government shutdown.

Family Services of Forsyth County is the grantee for 10 sites in Winston-Salem and the surrounding area. The nonprofit secured enough grants to keep its Head Start programs funded through May. 

“The theory is that if you assist a child and family with accessing those important resources to development, health care, education, nutrition, parent engagement and parent development, if you help these families access to services that they would otherwise not have ready access to given their situation, then you’re giving them a head start, as it were, to development,” Garvin said.

Other programs across the state, such as the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project and the Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency, are on hold or suspending operations because they don’t have the funding.

Gov. Josh Stein, Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt and Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green sent a letter to Congress in April about potential cuts to funding for Head Start programs. According to the letter, Head Start programs statewide receive $290 million from the federal government. It says Head Start supports 19,500 students and more than 5,600 jobs in North Carolina. State leaders believe if federal funds end for these curriculums, roughly 500 child care programs could close.

“These are not children who, No. 1, they’re not being babysat,” Garvin said. “Secondly, they’re not just sitting around watching cartoons all day and eating snacks. These are early education programs designed to help support children’s educational trajectory to enter kindergarten and go beyond literacy, numeracy and social emotional development.”

North Carolina is considered to be a child care desert. On average, five families compete to fill one spot at licensed child care facilities. Statewide, Head Start is responsible for 20% or more of licensed child care facilities in 22 rural counties.

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