FARGO — Nearly 500 children in North Dakota could lose access to free education, meals and child care in December if the federal government shutdown continues.

Head Start childhood development programs across the country have already been affected by the shutdown. North Dakota's Head Start program is federally funded, and without grant money, the program will have to make cuts in classrooms and staff beginning Dec. 1.

Allison Driessen, early Head Start director, said staggered grant money is keeping doors open this month. Without it, children who may be in foster care, experience abuse at home or face food insecurity would lose what she calls a vital resource.

"These are not federal children. These are not state children. These are our community's children," Driessen said.

In the Fargo

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