The federal government has been shut down now for 2 weeks, and there does not seem to be a solution in the near future. In addition to many other issues this shutdown is causing, some sources of funding will come into deeper concern. One of these was WIC (Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children) which might not have been fundud starting mid-October, but the USDA was able to continue funding with an unused $300 million from child nutrition programs from last year. Another issue is HeadStart funding that would have been accessible for programs to draw down November first. The HeadStart funding issue will become a larger problem because more programs are scheduled for funding on November 1st and comparatively few were for October 1st. Both parties have proposed continuing resolutions but there has been no agreement, and the House of Representatives has not been in session this week.
The US Department of Education has announced that the 60 million dollar increase for charter schools will be paid for by $31 million dollars moved from from the Ready to Learn program, $15 million from the Magnet Schools Assistance Program, $9 million from the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program, $3 million from the Statewide Family Engagement Centers Program, and $2 million from the Assistance for Arts Education Program.
In positive news, the two early childhood focused bills we had previously announced were proposed are both still alive, one around strengthening CCDBG and the other proposing expansion of HeadStart eligibility.
Advocacy Updates from Our Partners at NAEYC
| What a Government Shutdown Meansfor Early Childhood Programs As the government shutdown continues, NAEYC is here to provide clarity with our recent blog that breaks down what it could mean for the ECE field and the programs that children, families, and educators rely on, plus how you can urge Congress to pass a funding bill that protects and invests in early childhood programs. Read the Blog Send a Message to Your Members of Congress Help Us in Tracking the Impacts of Policy Changes in Your Communities |
Federal Firings Jeopardize Services for Children with Disabilities
As part of a broader reduction in force impacting thousands of federal employees, the Administration announced over the weekend that it would be firing hundreds of federal staff across the Department of Education, including eliminating nearly all positions overseeing special education. These roles are critical in ensuring young children with disabilities can access inclusive, high-quality education. Their loss will make it harder for families to find support and limit oversight of state and local programs.
Congress has long come together across party lines to support children with disabilities in accessing equitable education from the start. Send a message to your Members of Congress today, urging them to protect this vital promise.
📣 Tell Congress: Protect All Children’s Rights to an Inclusive Education
📝 Share Your Story About How Changes at Federal Agencies are Impacting Your Work
📅 Register for the October 20 Webinar: Advocating for Young Children with Disabilities in Your State