LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Staff at the West Ohio Community Action Partnership (WOCAP) are trying to maintain normal operations, but uncertainty over the federal government shutdown continues to loom.
Thanks to a $220,000 donation from the Health Partners of Western Ohio Foundation, children in Head Start and Early Head Start programs are still in the classroom and unaware of what may happen if Congress does not reach a funding agreement soon. The donation covers two weeks of operations, and the first week has just ended.
Thanks to a $220,000 donation from the Health Partners of Western Ohio Foundation, children in Head Start and Early Head Start programs are still in the classroom.
Even if the government reopens next week, WOCAP officials say it will take time to restore funding, leaving concerns about operations beyond the second week.
Kim Bruns, executive director of WOCAP, said, “So we're really kind of looking at any and every option available to us, and so my plea would be, if any agency is in a position to assist us with some emergency funding, whether that be a no-interest loan or a grant or anything, just to help us kind of keep everything going and functioning as is current.”
Bruns expressed gratitude for the Health Partners of Western Ohio’s support and said the organization hopes others will step forward to help. Residents who wish to assist or learn more can contact WOCAP at (419) 227-2586, extension 138.
