Government shutdown closes Volusia County daycares

Head Start programs to close across country

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – The government shutdown has caused 15 daycares in Volusia and Sumter counties to close.

Local 6 has learned that the Head Start child care facility in Osteen is the latest to be affected by the government shutdown. The learning center is designed for financially challenged families. 

Without funding, the program can't pay for its 130 employees to serve 649 children in the area.

Tina Lake's three- and four-year-old children attend Coleman Head Start, one of many programs that will have to close it's doors on Monday if congress is unable to reach a funding agreement.

"I think they're being selfish because they're not losing money out of their pockets. We are," Lake said. "Because I'm trying to go to school right now. Without this, I can't go to school because I'd have to stay home with my kids because I can't afford to put them in child care."

Lake said she's lost confidence and congress and is now relying on her faith.

"Terrible. Everybody  needs to work. Everybody needs a job. We all need to pay bills like everybody else," Torres said. "Pray. I mean, really. That's all I can do, is pray."


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