Some Head Start programs still can't access federal funds in wake of Trump order

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.

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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.

"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."