NEW YORK, NY – The ongoing federal government shutdown is putting thousands of New York students and families at risk. If it continues through November, the shutdown will disrupt critical programs that children depend on, including SNAP and Head Start.

Nearly 3 million New Yorkers rely on SNAP benefits each month to help put food on the table. More than 58,000 children and families across the state benefit from Head Start programs that provide early learning, meals, and essential care. If the shutdown continues, these supports could be delayed or cut off entirely, with devastating consequences for families already facing economic hardship.

When essential programs like SNAP and Head Start are disrupted, children lose more than services; they lose stability, learning opportunities, and a fair chance to thrive.

We commend Governor Kathy Hochul for taking swift action today by announcing an additional $65 million in emergency food assistance for New York State. Over the past week, she has directed $41 million in emergency funds to feed New Yorkers, bringing the total investment in food security to $106 million. Governor Hochul also committed $11 million to local food banks and pantries statewide to support communities impacted by the disruption of SNAP and Head Start programs, an unprecedented move, as this marks the first time in U.S. history that a federal administration has halted food assistance during a government shutdown.

The Governor is also deploying SUNY Empire State Service Corps members to strengthen food banks, advancing efforts to create food hubs at schools, and launching a new website with food assistance resources for New Yorkers.

This kind of leadership helps ensure that children continue to have access to basic needs and learning opportunities during this critical time.

EdTrust-New York urges Congress to come to an agreement on protecting Americans’ access to healthcare and reopen the government to protect the programs that ensure children’s health, learning, and stability. Schools and families cannot be left waiting on politics when their future is at stake.

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About EdTrust-New York: EdTrust-New York is dedicated to eliminating equity and opportunity gaps that hinder students from reaching their full potential. We focus on ensuring that students of color, including Black, Latinx, Native American, and Asian American and Pacific Islander students, and those from low-income backgrounds achieve high levels of success from early childhood through college. For more information, visit EdTrustNY.org.