WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Child Care for Every Family Network (CCEFN) released the following statement after reports that Head Start grant recipients across 23 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are still experiencing delays in accessing funds following President Trump’s illegal funding freeze. The delays are currently impacting nearly 20,000 children and families.

It’s been over a week since President Trump’s illegal funding freeze, and days since a federal judge blocked it, and yet many Head Start programs still cannot access the funds they depend on. These delays are causing real harm, with some programs forced to temporarily close their doors, worries about how staff will get paychecks, and families scrambling to find the child care they need.

Families and child care providers cannot afford to “freeze” paying our bills, showing up to work, or caring for our kids. This illegal, inhumane and rash action by Trump shows how little he cares about the well-being of families across the country and how little he understands about managing the federal programs we rely on. We will keep fighting to ensure these payment delays are addressed and that the Trump Administration reverses course and stops illegally holding our taxpayers dollars hostage.

President Trump’s illegal funding freeze came directly from Office of Manage and Budget nominee Russell Vought’s Project 2025 playbook. CCEFN recently announced their opposition to Vought’s nomination, urging lawmakers to uphold their sworn oath to our kids, families, and communities by doing everything in their power to stop his confirmation.

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The statements above can be attributed to Andrea Paluso and Erica Gallegos, Co-Directors of the Child Care for Every Family Network

The Child Care for Every Family Network is the national movement and campaign to transform childcare, representing 1,500+ child care providers, impacted families, state and national organizations, and organizers across the country. Learn more: childcareforeveryfamily.org