Extended Government Shutdown Threatens Ohio Valley Opportunities’ Head Start Preschool Program

Putting 135 Local Children and Families at Risk

Madison, IN – 10/28/2025 – Ohio Valley Opportunities (OVO), a nonprofit Community Action Agency serving Jefferson, Jennings, and Scott counties, warns that the ongoing federal government shutdown could force a temporary closure of its Head Start Preschool Program, disrupting essential early education, nutrition, and support services for 135 vulnerable children and 121 families.

OVO’s Head Start is one of 134 programs nationwide with a November 1 grant award date. Without federal funding approvals amid the shutdown, the program will operate without its primary funding source starting November 1, potentially leading to reduced services, staff furloughs, or a full pause until the government reopens.

“For six decades, Head Start has helped millions of children and families build a foundation for success,” said Yasmin S. Vinci, Executive Director of the National Head Start Association (NHSA).

Locally, the impact would be profound. OVO’s program provides high-quality preschool education to children aged three to five, many from low-income households. It also offers critical family support, health screenings, and nutritious meals – totaling nearly 6,500 per month – to combat food insecurity and promote healthy development.

Michelle Kimmel, OVO’s Head Start Program Director, emphasized the program’s role in the community: “Head Start is vital for our children and families; we truly do help give our families and children a head start in not only education but self-regulation and equip them with the tools to be successful. Head Start is a federally funded program, and this means that after November 1st we will be without our grant award for the Head Start classes in Jefferson, Jennings, and Scott counties.”

Kimmel added, “We have been working on reducing costs where we are able. We do need help to continue to provide our preschool services to our three- to five-year-olds. Your support is vital to help us maintain stability and routine in our classrooms for our children, families, and staff. Any monetary donation – no matter the amount – will make a meaningful difference and help us keep our doors open while we await our grant funding.”

Brad Wood, OVO’s Executive Director, highlighted the boarder ripple effects: “We are prepared to do everything we can to keep our classrooms open. Being forced to pause our program means working parents would lose essential childcare, forcing some to miss work or withdraw from school. Children would lose access to high-quality education, social-emotional support, and nutrition. Our communities have relied on OVO’s Head Start Preschool Program for 60 years – local families depend on our program’s continuity and stability.”

Without a new grant award or bridge funding, OVO faces programmatic instability, including potential layoffs for dedicated staff and loss of family trust. To mitigate this, OVO is seeking community donations to sustain operations during the impasse.

Community members, businesses, and local leaders can donate online at https://ovoinc.org/donate-3/ or mail checks to Ohio Valley Opportunities, 421 Walnut Street, Madison, IN 47250. All contributions will directly support keeping classrooms open and services uninterrupted.