The Jericho School for Children with Autism announced its closure, saying the government shutdown created “an operating deficit the school cannot overcome.”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville school for children with autism and other developmental disabilities is closing its doors for good after thirty years — and says the ongoing government shutdown is to blame.

In an email to parents and guardians, The Jericho School for Children with Autism’s Board of Directors announced the temporary closure is now permanent. The school, a private non-profit specializing in early developmental education, Applied Behavior Analysis and speech therapy, closed on Oct. 20.

“Despite our best efforts to sustain operations, the school has been severely impacted by the recent Federal government shutdown and delays in Insurance payments, which are vital to our ability to serve students of military families. These disruptions have created an operating deficit that the school cannot overcome.”

The school’s closure will leave a large number of local parents and children — already with limited schooling options — looking for somewhere new. 

“Our priority now is to support our students and families through this transition,” wrote the Board of Directors. Families who need their student’s records, therapy documentation, or assistance finding new education or therapy options are advised to contact Angelo Martinez at the following email: info@thejerichoschool.org.

The consequences of the shutdown are soon to reach even further if Senate members cannot overcome a current impasse on funding. 

The USDA announced that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding will freeze on Nov. 1, impacting around 42 million people nationwide. Local food banks are already feeling the squeeze.