SAN FRANCISCO (KRONA) – Head Start programs across the country face potential closures due to the looming government shutdown, threatening education and support for thousands of children.
More than 140 Head Start programs across the country may have to close without crucial funding, affecting about 65,000 children. The Ezzi Early Learning Program in South San Francisco relies on federal funding for 60% of its budget, highlighting how weak these programs are.
“We are talking about the most vulnerable members of our society,” US actor Kevin Mullen said during a press conference. “They are infants and toddlers whose families cannot afford child care, and whose parents would not be able to work without Head Start.”
Izzi Early Education runs the largest Head Start program in San Mateo County, caring for 600 children from infants to preschool. Co-Director Devon Young expressed concerns about the potential impact on families if programs were closed, noting the importance of federal support.
Young also highlighted the pressing issue of eliminating SNAP food benefits, which many families rely on, effective November 1.
Head Start provides a variety of free services to low-income families, including early education, health screenings, nutrition, and dental care, while also providing opportunities for parents to succeed.
Veronica Guzman, a parent participating in the Azi program, shared how the program helped her grow as an educator, earn her certification, and become a more confident mother and community leader.
Local organizations are urging parents to check for resources during the closure to mitigate the impact on their families.
As Head Start celebrates its 60th anniversary, potential closure poses a significant threat to the vital services it provides, underscoring the need for continued support to protect vulnerable children and families.
All facts contained in this report were collected by journalists working forCrohn4. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat the broadcast transcript into a news article for our website. This report was edited and verified by KRON4 staff before deployment.