Fresno EOC Head Start fully open while centers close across the country

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- While dozens of Head Start programs crossed the state are missing out connected national backing due to the fact that of the authorities shutdown, those successful Fresno County volition beryllium operating arsenic normal.

"We're funded done December 31st. Right present our assistance runs January done December 31st," said Michael Balderas, manager of Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission Head Start. "We shouldn't spot immoderate effects arsenic agelong arsenic there's immoderate solution to the shutdown quickly. I'm optimistic it's not going to transportation retired for 2 months."

The Fresno EOC runs 30 Head Start centers successful the county, benefitting implicit 2000 kids from 0 to 5 years old.

"When children travel to school, we are feeding them nutritious meals that conscionable the requirements for their health," stated Balderas. "We're doing wellness screenings for the kids, truthful a batch of those things are important for those families due to the fact that if they don't get them here, we don't bash the referrals, they mightiness not bash them astatine all."

Across the country, 65,000 kids won't beryllium getting those services arsenic centers are forced to adjacent amid the shutdown.

"There was a tiny radical whose backing ended astatine the extremity of September. Kind of what you're proceeding present is there's much programs affected and their backing ends October 31st, truthful that's a bigger radical of kids," said Balderas.

Fresno EOC Head Start is grateful to inactive beryllium afloat operational- welcoming those successful need.

"If there's families that are successful request of the program, present is simply a bully clip to travel successful and we inactive person slots disposable for those children," stated Balderas.

You tin caput to its website for eligibility requirements and the exertion itself.

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