Most Head Start programs in Vermont are not being immediately affected by the federal government shutdown, but that could change if the shutdown continues for another month.
Christy Swenson, chair of the Vermont Head Start Association, said Vermont's seven centers operate on different fiscal year calendars, and most of them have funding into next year.
But the state’s largest, Champlain Valley Head Start Center, will exhaust its federal grant money at the end of October, which marks the close of its fiscal year.
The center plans to use cash reserves to stay open through November, according to Swenson.
Swenson said there's one other center, which she declined to name, that could face severe financial issues if the shutdown continues for another month.
Head Start centers, which support low-income families by providing early education and other services to children up to age 5, rely heavily on funding from the federal government. Programs around the country are contemplating closure as that funding runs out.
In Vermont, the programs collectively serve more than 1,000 kids.
Across the state, Swenson said the uncertainty of future funding has caused a lot of anxiety for everyone involved at the programs.
"Even if nobody needs to shut down for a single day, I think there's an impact on the stress that families and staff are experiencing."
