End the Shutdown: NHSA Warns Without Action by November 1, Head Start Services for 65,000 Children Could Halt

October 27, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As part of a broad coalition of organizations working to protect children and families, the National Head Start Association (NHSA) today called on Congress to immediately end the federal government shutdown and safeguard the 750,000 children and families who rely on Head Start programs nationwide.

“For thousands of families, Head Start is not optional—it is essential.”  said Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association. “With each passing day of the shutdown, families are pushed closer to crisis. In fact, on November 1, 65,000 Head Start children in communities across America are at risk of losing the learning, nutrition, health services, and the stability they depend on. Their families may have to forgo days of work and their employers may be affected as well. Congress must act now to end the shutdown and protect these children, families, and communities.”

If the shutdown continues past November 1, 2025, an estimated 140 Head Start programs across 41 states and Puerto Rico will not receive their operational funding. These programs serve more than 65,000 young children, providing critical early learning, nutritious meals, child care, health screenings, and other vital services.
Without funding, many programs will be forced to close their doors — leaving children without care, teachers without pay, and parents without the ability to work.

As part of a nationwide Day of Action on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, NHSA and its partners in the coalition are mobilizing parents, staff, and supporters to contact members of Congress and share their stories on social media, urging them to end the shutdown and stand with America’s children and families.

ABOUT NHSA: The National Head Start Association (NHSA) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization dedicated to realizing the promise of Head Start; that all children have a chance to succeed in school and in life. NHSA is the voice for approximately 750,000 children served by more than 250,000 staff every single day in rural, urban, and suburban communities in all 50 states. In 2025, we celebrate 60 years of service to 40 million children, their families, and communities across the country.

••• Media Contact ••• 

Tommy Sheridan, Deputy Director
National Head Start Association
651-792-5529
media@nhsa.org