The state will provide $800,000 in expedited funds to the Head Start program in Bridgeport to keep it operating in the weeks ahead, Gov. Dannel Malloy’s office announced.
The money will allow the state and federally funded education and nutrition program to return to a full capacity of 1,245 children. It has been forced recently to cut its client load to 494 because of the federal budget shutdown that started Oct. 1.
The Bridgeport Head Start is one of 18 in Connecticut, but the only one on an October budget cycle, which means it’s feeling the biggest impact from the shutdown. If the shutdown lasts into November, others could be affected, Malloy’s office said.
Earlier this week, the Laura and John Arnold Foundation pledged $10 million to keep seven Head Start programs in six states, including Connecticut, operating during the shutdown.
