LISTEN: YMCA of Metro Atlanta President and CEO Lauren Koontz says that some Head Start programs in Georgia are in jeopardy. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.

YMCA

U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams (center) meets with YMCA of Metro Atlanta leaders in May 2025. The YMCA of Metro Atlanta is the largest Head Start provider in Georgia.

Credit: Sarah Kallis/GPB News

Head Start, a federally funded early childhood education program, will not receive its usual grant money on Nov. 1., putting some programs in Georgia in jeopardy of closing.

Several metro Atlanta Head Start providers serving over 5,000 children have been able to secure a bridge loan to fund the program through mid-December. 

YMCA of Metro Atlanta president Lauren Koontz said that loan will provide continuity to families.

“80% of parents and caregivers that have a child in Head Start are working at least one job," she said. "These are typically jobs that are hourly and low wage. If they do not have child care, they most likely cannot work." 

Head Start also provides hot breakfasts and lunches to students and some medical screenings. 

Koontz said she is trying to secure a bridge loan for the YMCA in Augusta as well, but other providers unable to get a loan will be forced to close their doors and furlough their teachers starting this weekend. 

Some Head Start families may be hit hard by other programs running out of funds on Saturday as well. Federal nutrition programs SNAP and WIC will not dispense funds to recipients on Nov. 1 as a result of the shutdown. 

"For a lot of our families, it is a triple whammy," Koontz said.

Tags: Georgia  preschool  schools  Early Childhood Education  government shutdown  Federal Shutdown