Many Head Start programs across the country could be forced to close at the end of this week if the federal government shutdown continues, jeopardizing free child care and other services for tens of thousands of families with young children.

The early childhood program Head Start is facing a cutoff of federal funding at the end of the month because of the government shutdown. Some Head Start educators are already working without pay, other programs are preparing to close.

More than 600,000 Kentuckians rely on SNAP benefits, including two-thirds of the Jefferson County families one organization serves.

Head Start propgrams serving about 700 kids in the Augusta area have secured funding to keep going after Friday.

Three large providers of Head Start programs in Georgia secured an emergency loan to keep programs running for 45 days as the government shutdown continues.

Kids may be impacted as Head Start programs waiting on Nov. 1 funds to keep running are at risk of closing if federal government shutdown continues.

Hundreds of families and teachers in Tallahassee are breathing a sigh of relief after emergency funding from the Children’s Services Council of Leon County helped Head Start programs stay open.

Emergency bridge funding will keep Georgia Head Start classrooms open for 45 days during the federal shutdown.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - The Children’s Services Council of Leon County is stepping in to help ensure Head Start centers stay open. CSC Leon announced a $300,000 allocation to four Head Start centers in Tallahassee.