NEW ORLEANS — Thousands of low-income children in Louisiana could lose access to early education and meals because of the ongoing government shutdown.

Head Start provides free preschool, healthcare, and nutrition services for children up to age 5, but federal funding for the program has been withheld during the shutdown.

"The funding freeze that affected Head Start centers beginning Nov. 1, in Louisiana, it affects approximately 1,384 children," said Libbie Sonnier, CEO of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children.

Some Head Start providers in Louisiana — including Clover in New Orleans — have taken out loans and lines of credit to keep serving families.

Clover CEO Keith Liederman said in a statement: "Clover is among the Head Start federal grantees directly affected by the ongoing g

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