Bucks County Head Start Programs Set to Close May 31 Due to Funding Uncertainty

The Bucks County Head Start and Early Head Start programs are set to close on May 31 due to a lack of formal notification and renewal of critical federal funding, affecting about 360 children and 85 staff members. The Bucks County Intermediate Unit, which operates these programs, submitted a renewal application in January but has yet to receive an official update, despite informal suggestions that temporary funding might be offered. This closure is part of a broader national trend, as Head Start centers across the U.S. have received nearly $1 billion less in federal funding compared to the previous year, with some locations already forced to close classrooms for low-income children. The Trump administration has proposed eliminating all future funding for Head Start, a move that would impact over half a million children nationwide. While some lawmakers have voiced support for preserving Head Start, delays and reductions in federal support have already resulted in layoffs and service interruptions at multiple sites. The ongoing funding uncertainty threatens the provision of early education, health, and family services to some of the nation's most vulnerable children.