Nearly 60,000 families in 41 states could lose access to Head Start child care and meal programs Saturday as the federal shutdown drags on. The program, serving more than 700,000 families nationwide, is already feeling the impact of funding lapses that have shuttered centers or forced them to seek stopgap money.
Nonprofits and local agencies are scrambling to keep services open. “They’re doing everything they can to avoid children and families being the collateral damage of the political fights in Washington,” said Tommy Sheridan of the National Head Start Association.
In Oklahoma, four programs—including two tribal ones—are set to lose funding this weekend. One can limp along until late November, while another will close Thursday if Congress doesn’t act. Those four programs serve nearly 2,500 children.
Meanwhile, senators from both parties continue to trade blame. “It’s an absolute tragedy,” Sen. Bernie Sanders said. Republicans counter that Democrats caused the shutdown. The standoff shows little sign of breaking.
Adora Brown had the story, which you can read here.
More worth reading:
Oklahoma Hospitals Bracing for Cuts
Oklahoma hospitals are projected to lose $6.7 billion over 10 years as a result of the funding changes, which were approved by Congress in July as part of the GOP-backed spending and tax megabill. Rural hospitals — and the people who rely on them — are expected to be among those hardest hit. [The Oklahoman ▲]
DHS Furloughs Thousands
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services on Sunday will begin furloughing 2,300 employees as a result of the federal government shutdown, the agency said. Employees earning a salary of $100,000 or more will be furloughed three days per pay period while those earning $50,000 up to $100,000 will have two furlough days. Those earning less than $50,000 are exempt. [Oklahoma Voice]
State Eyes Homeless Shelter Oversight
Two Oklahoma lawmakers are pushing ahead with plans to propose state oversight of homeless shelters after a more than 3-hour study of the issue at the Capitol. [The Frontier]
▲=Possible paywall
On this day in 1969, the Oklahoma City Sanitation Workers Strike reached its climax when armed state troopers and police at City Hall confronted some 1,500 protestors and sanitation workers.
Ciao for now,
Ted Streuli
Executive Director, Oklahoma Watch
tstreuli@oklahomawatch.org
Help Us Make a Difference
Oklahoma needs high-quality investigative journalism. That is our mission at Oklahoma Watch. We produce stories that hold government and public officials accountable and make transparent what some prefer to keep secret. We depend on financial support from readers like you to sustain our coverage. Will you help us make a difference?
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
