TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Parents and families in the capital city are breathing a little easier now that Head Start centers are back open after closing Monday due to the federal government shutdown.
Almost 150 children between the ages of 3 and 5 use the South City location.
Parents were left scrambling over the weekend when they learned centers would be closed on Monday.
On Monday evening, the Children’s Services Council of Leon County approved a plan to help fund the programs with up to $300,000.
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Staff members were unsure if they’d be able to keep their jobs, while families tried to come up with alternative plans.
Kimberly Smith, the education coordinator for South City Head Start, said the closure caused a domino effect for many families.
“Several parents that did not know if they were going to have to quit their first job, second job, or even have a job to go to because they did not have any childcare for their children, so it was kind of a heartbreaking situation for the parents as well trying to pick and choose between their job and keeping their children in a safe environment,” Smith said.
All four Head Start centers in Leon County are back open as of Tuesday.
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