Georgia Head Start Secures $8M, Services at Risk

Federal student loan collections have continued in Georgia during the federal government shutdown, leaving about 1.7 million borrowers — averaging roughly $43,000 in debt — responsible for monthly payments and urged to contact servicers if furloughed. The shutdown is also threatening Head Start funding statewide, putting more than 6,500 children and over 800 early-education staff at risk. To prevent immediate closures, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta provided an $8 million emergency bridge loan to the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Sheltering Arms and Easterseals, keeping roughly 5,500–5,800 children in classrooms for about 45 days. The temporary funding buys time for state leaders to consider using surplus dollars, but it remains unclear how long operations can be sustained or whether centers will reduce services or cut staff pay and benefits if the shutdown continues. Families report severe disruptions, including loss of speech therapy and acute financial strain, and some south Georgia centers have warned that about 654 children will lose placements after funding runs out.