Eleven Head Start centers in Santa Cruz County were forced to temporarily close on Thursday, Oct. 30, leaving families without child care and teachers without a job as the federal government shutdown continues. Other programs in California are also on the same path.

The Santa Cruz nonprofit Encompass Community Services closed all of its centers as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not process their Nov. 1 grant renewal or send funds, Cal Matters reported.

"Head Start is part of the fabric of this community," said Elaine Johnson, chair of the Encompass board. "This is about babies, children, and families not having access to basic needs."

What is the Head Start program?

The federally funded early childhood education program Head Start provides services to children 0

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