Updated November 11, 2025
The federal shutdown has extended for more than a month, but recent legislative developments suggest a possible path toward reopening the government. Below is a neutral summary of confirmed updates and details relevant to Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
On Sunday evening, the Senate held a procedural vote to advance a temporary funding measure. The continuing resolution (CR) would fund the government through January 30 and passed 60–40, with eight Democratic senators voting in favor.
The CR now moves to the House of Representatives. A vote could occur as early as Wednesday. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) has asked House members to return to Washington, D.C., to prepare for a potential vote within a 36-hour window.
The amended CR includes provisions to reverse reductions-in-force (RIFs) that occurred after October 1 and pauses additional RIFs until January 31. It also authorizes back pay for furloughed federal workers and extends the federal funding deadline.
The CR does not include provisions related to Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidy extensions. These discussions may continue separately.
The measure contains a three-bill appropriations “minibus” for full-year FY26 funding for:
Timelines may shift as amendments and procedural steps continue. Verified reporting is being provided by Jake Sherman (Punchbowl News), Burgess Everett (Semafor), and Lisa Desjardins (PBS NewsHour).
Funding: The CR funds Head Start programs at FY25 levels through January 30. No COLA is included at this stage.
Shutdown-related costs: Programs with October 1 and November 1 funding cycles would receive backdated grant awards and may use funds to cover expenses incurred during the shutdown, including back pay.
SNAP and WIC: The CR funds both programs and allows reimbursement for state and local expenditures made since October 1.
Federal employees: The measure authorizes back pay for furloughed staff and reinstates employees who were affected by RIFs. Additional RIFs are paused through January 31.
Health coverage: ACA subsidy extensions are not included in the CR. Marketplace premiums remain under current rules.
Captain Tala Hooban has concluded her service as Acting Director of the Office of Head Start. IHSA acknowledges her contributions and dedication to the Head Start community.
Dr. Laurie Todd Smith now serves as Acting Director and can be reached at Laurie.Smith@acf.hhs.gov. Shawna Pinckney continues as Acting Deputy Director and can be reached at Shawna.Pinckney@acf.hhs.gov.
The federal government has filed notice of appeal in the ongoing immigration verification case affecting Head Start enrollment. The preliminary injunction remains in effect while the appeals process continues.
Programs should continue to follow the injunction and not verify immigration status during enrollment at this time.
The government’s formal appeal is due December 4, after which plaintiffs will respond before further court action is taken.
Once a funding bill is passed, the next focus will be on timely release of delayed grant awards. Several congressional offices have indicated interest in encouraging ACF to waive the standard congressional hold to expedite funding.
IHSA will share suggested language and guidance for programs once the timeline becomes clear.
Programs with February 1 funding cycles should continue monitoring developments as the January 30 deadline approaches.
The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) has released updated resources on safe-space policies for early childhood programs. Start Early has also released an editable toolkit containing checklists, sample policies, and templates designed for Illinois programs, with materials adaptable for other states.
The toolkit is updated regularly and includes information about an upcoming webinar. Access it through the Early Childhood Immigration LinkTree.
This update provides a summary of publicly available federal information as it relates to Head Start and Early Head Start operations. Information is shared for the purpose of supporting programs, staff, and families during the federal shutdown.