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Federal funding for Head Start, which supports education and health services for children across 41 states and Puerto Rico, is set to cease. Over 59,000 children are expected to lose access to this crucial support if funding isn't restored. This raises serious questions about prioritization, as other programs like SNAP are receiving attention while Head Start faces cuts.
3. WIC and Nutrition Assistance
The Trump administration has redirected approximately $300 million from school meal programs to fund the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program. This shift reflects the urgency to support vulnerable populations but also highlights the difficult decisions policymakers face when allocating limited funds during a shutdown.