MONTOUR FALLS, NY (WENY) -- Employees at the Schuyler Head Start in Montour Falls have many questions about what happens next with their grants, as at least five regional Head Start offices closed last week. 

On April 1st, at least five Head Start Regional Offices in Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle closed as part of downsizing ordered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Executive Director of the Schuyler Head Start said she's worried about what the regional office closing means for them.

"There are 12 regional offices across the country and we are part of Region II. In our regional office, the staff and specialists support our program by providing us with some oversight for our grant so it’s not just program specialists it’s fiscal specialists. If there’s an emergency that happens, we rely on them. They help us determine what regulations are coming down from OHS, they support us with technical training and assistance. They are the oversight of our grant. Without that team and all those offices, it’s kind of like an airplane flying around without air traffic control," said Executive Director, Tina Winchell.

Head Start is a federally funded early childhood program that helps families in need. At the Schuyler Head Start in Montour Falls, they provide things like early childhood education and nutrition to 90 kids, with help from a federal grant worth over a million dollars.

The National Head Start Association put out a press release on April 1st about the closures saying:

'Early this morning, the National Head Start Association (NHSA) was made aware of the closure of at least five Office of Head Start regional offices, in Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle, in accordance with Secretary Kennedy’s plans for reducing the size of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

NHSA is deeply concerned about the potential disruption to vital services for eligible children and families across the country. These offices play a critical role in providing oversight, guidance, and direct support to local Head Start programs, ensuring they have the resources and assistance needed to deliver Head Start’s high-quality child care, education, health, nutrition, and other supports.

In order to avoid disrupting services for children and families, we urge the administration to reconsider these actions until a plan has been created and shared widely. Closing these regional Head Start offices could create delays in essential program support and weaken the system that has successfully served millions of children for decades. NHSA will continue working with the Administration and Congress to minimize the impact of any bureaucratic decisions on the well-being of the children and families who rely on Head Start programs every day.

Regional office staff, including program specialists, fiscal specialists, and other program leadership, play an integral role in ensuring that the services to eligible children and families are reliable, high-quality, and fiscally sound. They help interpret federal regulations and provide essential support to Head Start grant recipients in every corner of the country. Less than one percent of Head Start’s annual funding is spent on federal staff, including regional office staff.

During our 60 years of existence, we have remained steadfast in our mission to provide early childhood education, health services, and family support to under-served communities. Throughout our history, we have navigated challenges such as shifting policies, funding uncertainties, and evolving educational needs. Yet, through resilience and innovation, Head Start has continued to adapt, ensuring that millions of children and families receive the foundational support necessary for lifelong success.

An investment in Head Start is an important investment in our youngest learners, their families, our communities, and our nation.'

Winchell knows if they don't receive the funding they need, this will have a negative impact on low-income families and their children.

"If we submitted our grant and we didn’t get funding right away, that would impact us (first) in the fall (end of August). First and foremost, it would hurt our families and children because a lot of our families are working families and they need this program... Without us, what do these kiddos do? Do the parents just have to quit their jobs and stay home because there’s not this quality program to take them to?" said Winchell.

She also raised concerns about the impact it would have on staff.

"What do they do? I know my staff, and I know their hearts and they would continue to come here but I’m a realist. People aren’t going to come here and continue to do work when they have to make a living."

Currently, Schuyler Head Start's grant application for federal funding is due on June 1st. Winchell said they are currently taking direction from the Office of Head Start and the National Head Start Association.

"[At] Head Start, we are chameleons. We can change and organize and come up with what’s gonna happen on a dime… but it’s really scary to think a program that has existed since the 60s is in this much disarray," said Winchell.

Winchell encourages people to contact their local members of Congress about this issue.

"I’m not saying that taking a look at something in government and weeding out certain things is not a smart idea … But, we need a plan. We need a plan before that kind of thing happens so that we have [a] direction and can move forward doing the amazing things we do for this families and kiddos," said Winchell.