WASHINGTON, D.C.: Many government workers who help run Head Start, a federally funded preschool program, have been put on leave. The schools and nonprofits that run the program say they haven't heard from the Office of Head Start and are unsure about who to contact regarding grants or purchases.

They worry that the program, which helps low-income children and families, is at risk due to budget cuts by the Trump administration. Problems began soon after Trump took office when his administration temporarily froze federal grants, the primary source of funding for Head Start. A website glitch also forced some centers to close. Even after the freeze ended, staff and administrators remained concerned. Now, mass layoffs have added to their worries.

Head Start was created in the 1960s as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. While it has had support from both political parties, some Republicans have criticized its costs. A conservative policy group has even suggested shutting it down completely.

Some worry the administration is trying to weaken the program without officially ending it. Cutting staff can make it harder for Head Start to function correctly. The program supports families in all 50 states, offering early education and child care to parents who work or attend school. Supporters argue that it plays a crucial role in supporting low-income families and the economy.

At least five regional offices were closed due to layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services. While local Head Start funding remains unchanged, it's unclear how the government will continue supporting the program.

Some fear Head Start will become a political issue. "I don't want it to be a political football," said Rhett Cecil, a Head Start leader in Indiana, emphasizing that families of all political beliefs rely on the program.

In March, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited a Head Start center and praised its work. However, advocates still worry that federal budget cuts will harm the program.

Layoffs have already caused problems. In Washington state, schools are awaiting approval to repair a playground fence and purchase a refrigerator. Some fear grant applications won't be processed, leading to funding issues.

When federal grants were briefly frozen, Head Start programs were among the first to feel the impact. Some centers couldn't pay their staff and had to shut down, leaving working parents without childcare. In Michigan, a Head Start leader had to close 17 schools, leaving families and staff in crisis.

Even after the funding freeze was lifted, many schools still couldn't access their funds. In Wisconsin and New York, some Head Start programs shut down, laid off staff, and left families without care. They didn't reopen until funding was restored.

Members of Congress from both parties contributed during the crisis, offering hope that Head Start will continue to enjoy bipartisan support, despite some opposition from conservatives.