PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Four Head Start child care programs in Wisconsin have reportedly gone two weeks without receiving federal funding.
It comes following a memorandum by President Donald Trump’s administration that temporarily paused federal agency grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs.
In 2022, more than 10,000 children were enrolled in Head Start programs in Wisconsin.
The programs provide childcare and education for low-income families.
They’re funded by federal grants — which act as contracts between the government and local programs.
But Wisconsin Head Start Association Executive Director Jennie Mauer said delays in payouts are causing struggles for programs across the state.
“I know that each director right now is really working their darndest to figure out how to keep their doors open,” she said. “Head Start folks really know how critical their services are to kids and families.”
ADVOCAP in Fond du Lac sends requests for funds at the end of every month, typically receiving them within 24 to 48 hours.
Director April Mullins-Datko says this month was different.
“This month there was the OMB memo that came out, that kind of froze all federal funding, it was very unclear. And we have yet to be able to access our funds.”
ADVOCAP serves 202 children across 191 families in both Fond du Lac and Green Lake Counties.
The program receives $4 million annually from the federal government — with an additional $100 thousand coming from the state.
The delay in federal funding has put the program in a spiral of uncertainty.
“This situation has caused a lot of sleepless nights, a lot of anxiety, a lot of ‘do I need to leave, do I need to go find a different job because is this no longer a stable position for me?’ And that’s not a good- that’s not good, for kids or families.”
Senator Tammy Baldwin issued a letter to the Trump Administration.
It read in part,
I am still hearing from Head Start grantees in Wisconsin who are continuing to have problems accessing their funds. I request your immediate attention to resolve any outstanding issues for Head Start payment systems.
Mullins-Datko said she reached out to Representative Glenn Grothman to discuss the funding but was unsuccessful.
Along with ADVOCAP, Mauer says three others programs have yet to receive their requested funding. A total of 2,500 children are impacted.
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