Head Start programs forced to scale back
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San Diego County's Head Start programs are cutting services as they face another year of flat federal funding and potential delays tied to the government shutdown.
Why it matters: The program provides free child care, meals and health care services for thousands of children from low-income families locally.
- It's a lifeline for parents across San Diego, where child care for infants and preschoolers ranges from about $1,200 to $1,700 per month.
What they're saying: After three years of stagnant funding, these "already lean programs" are forced to make difficult cuts to keep up with inflation, Melanee Cottrill, executive director of Head Start California, told Axios.
State of play: The shutdown halted federal funding for Head Start programs, forcing closures of centers nationwide, including in California, and putting others in jeopardy.
- None of the programs in San Diego County were immediately affected because of the timing of their federal grant renewals.
- But even with funding now restored, there's still concern about getting the money in time to remain open for the new year, according to Susan Arias, interim vice president and chief growth officer at MAAC, one of the nonprofits that runs local Head Start programs.
Zoom in: MAAC is scaling back services offered at its 16 child care centers and in-home providers without reducing the number of families enrolled, Arias told Axios.
- That includes limiting access to therapy and referrals for children with special needs to get educational support heading into kindergarten.
- They're also using money outside the grant budget to pay staff and will struggle to offer raises and development training.
Between the lines: In addition to child care and education, MAAC offers job training and other services for parents.
- Head Start helps alleviate poverty and people's reliance long term on government assistance by allowing them to move from meeting federal poverty guidelines to making a living wage and supporting their families, Arias said.
The bottom line: Providers say the challenge to keep their doors open is growing as food, rent and other costs go up every year without increased funding, further straining San Diego's safety net.