Agency Shuts Doors Temporarily on Head Start Program Amid Federal Funding Halts

The long-standing early-childhood programs operated by Salisbury Rowan Community Action that serve Davidson County have been forced to close their doors as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown.

SRCAA, which has offered early childhood education, job training, food and energy assistance for more than 60 years, announced that effective Oct. 31, 2025, all services would be suspended until new federal funding is available.

In the official press release, CEO Dione Adkins said:

“We recognize the impact this disruption may have on the 408 Head Start/Early Head children and families, and 140 Workforce development program participants who rely on our programs for housing, nutrition, energy assistance, workforce development, and early childhood education.” srcaa.com

That means hundreds of children and families in Davidson—and the broader tri-county area SRCAA serves—will suddenly find key supports missing, from classroom learning and developmental screenings to meals and structured routines.

The shutdown compounds longstanding concerns: across North Carolina, rural counties with fewer childcare alternatives now face a sharper cliff if federal funding stalls.

Local parents and caregivers expressed frustration and anxiety. One parent said she had counted on Head Start as a reliable full-day option so she could remain in the workforce. With the program paused, the pressure to find alternate care is intense—and timelines are uncertain.

SRCAA officials say they are coordinating with state and local partners, reviewing budgets, and prioritizing communication—but they stress that any resumption depends entirely on Congress restoring the funding streams that support these services. srcaa.com

For as much as this is a story about early learning, it’s increasingly about workforce and community resilience too. The disruption doesn’t just affect children—it touches working parents, vendors, staff, and community networks tied to the agency’s operations.

SRCAA encourages families affected to monitor its website for updates. The closure highlights a broader reality: when federal programs pause, local communities often bear the brunt.