Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Some Head Start programs still can't access federal funds in wake of Trump order
Head Start teacher Stephanie Perez, 23, leads a classroom full of 2-year-olds on San Antonio College's campus.
(
Anthony Francis
/
For NPR
)
Money for child care programs that serve some of California's highest need children has been delayed in the aftermath of President Donald Trump's federal funding freeze.
At least seven Head Start programs that receive federal funding to serve low-income families have experienced delays in accessing funds, including two in Los Angeles County. According to Head Start California executive director Melanee Cottrill, those seven programs collectively serve nearly 11,500 children with more than 3,600 staff.
Cottrill said funding delays could lead programs with tight margins to shutter.
"I'm very concerned that all of the instability is going to eventually lead to someone having to close their doors," Cottrill said.
Support for LAist comes from
Head Start programs receive grant payments directly from the federal government. On Jan. 27, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo freezing a significant amount of federal funding. Amid confusion (and a federal judge’s intervention), an FAQ subsequently posted on the White House website — now deleted — said Head Start would not be affected.
But this week the National Head Start Association reported that some Head Start programs across the nation nevertheless had to close down services due to delays in federal funding. The organization reported that at least 45 programs serving close to 20,000 children had experienced delays in accessing federal Head Start grant money.
Some California programs still have not been able to access their payments, Cottrill said. She also said she has not been able to reach the Office of Head Start, which sits under the Department of Health and Human Services, for guidance.
Concern for smaller programs
The L.A. County Office of Education — the state's largest Head Start grant recipient — has also experienced delays, according to its executive director Luis Bautista. He said his office typically sees a three-day turnaround time when requesting federal funds, but a request submitted last week took more than a week to come through.
Bautista said his office's Head Start programs, which serve close to 8,000 children, haven't been impacted by the payment delays, but smaller programs might not be so lucky.
Support for LAist comes from
"Most programs are not as large as" L.A. County's, he said. "You can have an agency funded for 300 slots or 200 slots. And so any kind of delay in terms of access to federal funding will have almost an immediate impact."
The Office of Head Start sent out an email last week "saying it was ordered not to communicate with anyone externally," according to KQED. LAist has reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services for comment.
“Head Start is a lifeline for children and families in their most urgent times of need," said Yasmina Vinci, the National Head Start Association’s executive director, in a statement. "We urge President Donald Trump and the acting leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services to immediately address the issues behind the unnecessary delays in Head Start funding."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist