ST. JOSEPH, Mich., Feb. 7, 2025 — The Flowers Early Learning Head Start and Early Head Start programs received news today that they will receive the funding they need to remain operational following a week of uncertainty caused by the Trump administration’s freeze on federal funding.
Child care, education, food assistance, medical research and other essential programs were thrown into disarray after losing access to their funding following the announcement last week. While many programs later regained access, the chaos it caused created unnecessary stress that disrupted people’s lives.
“Although this is welcome news, it is unconscionable that parents, teachers and staff members were forced to deal with a week of uncertainty — not knowing if they would have a place to take their children or a job to go to in the morning,” state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) said. “It is our job as elected officials to build our communities up, not break them down. This freeze in funding was issued with little to no thought and brought chaos and uncertainty to Michiganders who rely on these programs. Uncertainty is a cruelty all its own — workers and parents deserve to live without fear that their next meal, child care or job could be ripped away by the callous disregard of billionaires who never have to give those things a second thought.”
While Flowers Early Learning will receive its funding, uncertainty remains with other federally funded programs in Southwest Michigan, such as Meals on Wheels, an organization dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation.
“It is absolutely morally incomprehensible to cancel funding, even momentarily, for programs that make sure our most vulnerable community members have access to nutritional meals,” Andrews said. “It is vital that we continue to speak up, take action and stand up to those who attack our community’s resources. I vow to remain a fierce advocate for these essential programs and those who rely on them.”
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