SEATTLE — If Congress fails to resolve the government shutdown by Saturday, Nov. 1, funding for Head Start programs serving more than 3,000 children across Washington state will run out, leaving many low-income families without access to early education and child care.

Joel Ryan, executive director for the Washington State Association of Head Start and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, said the situation is dire.

“About 3,000 kids are at risk right now,” Ryan explained. “We know that there's at least one Head Start center in the Vancouver area that will be closed next week, and they serve a little over 175 children.”

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