CAAM shutting down early childhood education services amid government shutdown

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - As the federal government shutdown continues, Community Action Alger Marquette (CAAM) is facing some tough decisions regarding funding.

On Thursday afternoon, the CAAM Board received an update on the early childhood education services they provide, including Head Start and Great Start.

The board has announced layoffs for staff and the early childhood education programs are shutting down in mid-November. CAAM Board Chair Karen Kovacs says this impacts hundreds of families in Alger and Marquette counties.

“This impacts well over 200 children in our counties, and about 75 percent of those families are also working families or have parents that work or attend school,” Kovacs said. “So, if your child is not able to find child care or preschool or through the Head Start program, then those parents are left to decide whether they can attend work or not.”

The early childhood education programs will continue until Nov. 14. Kovacs says people should contact their legislators to encourage them to restore the funding and end the shutdown

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