Garamendi urges Trump administration to release delayed Head Start funds

U.S. Representative John Garamendi, alongside 33 colleagues, has issued a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office of Head Start (OHS). The letter demands immediate action to release delayed funds owed to Head Start programs. These delays are occurring amid efforts by Donald Trump and Republicans to implement a federal funding freeze.

The withheld funds are critical for Head Start centers across the nation as they face impending financial obligations such as rent, utilities, payroll, and insurance. Without these payments, some programs may be forced to furlough employees or shut down operations as early as January 31.

Representative Garamendi expressed concern over the situation: “Within the chaotic confusion of Donald Trump’s unconstitutional freeze on all federal funding, Head Start centers in our district and across the country are still in desperate need of the funds they’re owed.” He emphasized that these programs operate on tight budgets and rely on timely federal disbursements to cover their expenses.

The letter from Rep. Garamendi's office followed reports that centers submitting funding requests between January 23 and January 27 had not received payments. Typically approved within 24 hours, these requests remain pending. Additionally, several programs with February 1 grant renewal dates have yet to receive necessary Notices of Award. This delay could prevent them from opening on February 3.

Since its inception in 1965, Head Start has supported over 39 million children from low-income families with quality education and essential services like health and nutrition. The program serves more than 800,000 children annually nationwide, including nearly 95,000 in California.