In an unprecedented move to prevent the closure of Head Start programs serving more than 5800 children across Georgia, three of the state’s largest Head Start providers – YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Sheltering Arms, and Easterseals of North Georgia –have secured emergency funding through a bridge loan from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. This critical financial support will allow the programs to remain operational for 45 days, providing much-needed stability for families and early education professionals who were at risk because of the ongoing federal government shutdown. 

The bridge loan, provided by the Impact Investing Fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, ensures that thousands of Georgia children can continue accessing vital services like early education, meals, and family support. Made possible through a collective philanthropic effort involving more than a dozen individuals and institutions, this initiative underscores the power of community collaboration in addressing urgent needs during times of crisis.

This 45-day reprieve offers Congress a critical window to resolve the shutdown and renew expiring Head Start grants. It also gives State officials an opportunity to explore how surplus state funds might be used to support low-income families and the businesses that rely on Head Start parents as essential employees. Without action, these programs face closures and furloughs, with economic ripple effects that could extend into the holiday season, impacting families, businesses, and communities across Georgia. 

“This bridge loan gives us a temporary reprieve, but it’s not a sustainable solution. We need Congress to end the shutdown and ensure these programs can continue to serve the children and families who depend on them,” said Lauren Koontz, President & CEO of YMCA of Metro Atlanta, the largest Head Start provider in Georgia. “Head Start is more than just childcare, it’s a lifeline for families in underserved communities.”

The potential closure of Head Start programs would have far-reaching consequences, including:

·         Disruption for Families: More than 6,500 children and their families would lose access to critical services, including meals, developmental screenings and support for children with disabilities.

·         Economic Impact: Over 800 early education professionals face furloughs, and thousands of parents—many of whom are single parents or essential workers—would struggle to find reliable childcare, affecting their ability to work.

·         Ripple Effect on Georgia’s Economy: Businesses would lose significant workforce capacity, further slowing the state’s economy.

"Philanthropic support cannot and should not replace the funding for a 60-year-old federal program, especially one with such a wide-reaching impact,” said Frank Fernandez, President & CEO, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. “We are deeply grateful to our funding partners who stepped up to help support this bridge loan, but it is important to recognize that this is only a temporary solution. Our elected officials must take action to end this shutdown and ensure the long-term sustainability of this critical program."

 While three of the state’s largest Head Start providers have secured emergency funding, programs in South Georgia face an urgent crisis as grants expiring on November 1st threaten their ability to stay open. Without childcare, working families will struggle to find alternative arrangements and may lose income, struggle to pay bills, or even risk job loss. Meanwhile, unpaid Head Start staff will likely seek other jobs or file for unemployment, and many may not return when programs reopen, limiting classroom capacity and disrupting services for families.

 "While we’re grateful that Metro Atlanta’s largest Head Start providers have secured a temporary lifeline, we cannot forget the children and families in South Georgia and beyond who remain at risk,” said Mindy Binderman Executive Director of GEEARs. “This crisis underscores the need for federal and state leaders to act swiftly and decisively to protect Head Start and essential family supports.”