Honoring Our Fearless Queens

Dear Linked Arms Family,

In these challenging times, we begin by honoring the “Fearless Queens” of our community – the strong Black women (the African Descendants of Enslaved) who lead, nurture, and uplift our families every day. We see you persevering through hardship and caring for our children despite uncertainty. Your strength and grace continue to light our path forward.

“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” — Maya Angelou

This powerful quote resonates with our journey. Like our ancestors who endured and overcame tremendous adversity, our community’s women carry forward a legacy of resilience. Whether you are a mother making sure your children have what they need, a grandmother passing on wisdom, or an educator devoted to the next generation, you embody fearlessness. To all of our Queens: thank you for inspiring us with your courage, faith, and leadership. Linked Arms stands with you, today and always.

Federal Shutdown: Updates on Early Learning & Nutrition Programs

As you know, a partial federal government shutdown is underway, and many are worried about how it affects critical programs our families rely on. We want to share the latest updates on key early childhood supports and what they mean for our community. Please know that we are monitoring these developments closely and advocating for our families at every step.

• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program): WIC provides healthy food and baby formula to over 6 million pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. The good news: WIC clinics remain open for now. The National WIC Association reports that existing funds should keep WIC running for a short period (approximately 1–2 weeks) during the shutdown. The concern: If Congress does not act quickly to restore funding, WIC could run out of money. Millions of moms and children nationwide risk losing access to WIC’s nutrition support if the shutdown continues beyond those reserve funds [1]. This uncertainty is painful – no family should worry about food for their little ones. We are hopeful that leaders in Washington will resolve this before any benefits lapse.

• Head Start (Early Childhood Education): Head Start centers provide education, meals, and care to preschoolers from low-income families – including many in our community. For now: Most Head Start programs have not yet felt an immediate impact because their federal grants were not all due on Oct 1. However, a few programs (serving over 6,000 children) have already been affected and are operating with emergency funds due to delayed grants. What’s next: If the shutdown persists into late October, more Head Start programs will reach their funding renewal dates without federal funds. By **November 1, about 134 Head Start programs across 41 states and Puerto Rico – serving roughly 58,000 children – will lose operational funding [2]. This could force many of those centers to close their doors. Imagine tens of thousands of children suddenly without preschool or childcare, and parents scrambling for alternatives. We are praying and pushing for a solution before that happens. Head Start is a lifeline for working parents and a safe learning haven for our kids – it must be protected.

• Child Care & Other Early Learning Supports: Outside of Head Start, many families rely on child care subsidies and food assistance programs to keep children healthy and learning. Fortunately, some of these supports have built-in funding buffers. For example, the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG), which helps low-income families pay for daycare, was funded in advance and gives states flexibility to manage funds. Most child care assistance programs are continuing normally during this short shutdown without immediate disruption [3]. Similarly, federal meal programs for child care (like CACFP) and services for children with disabilities have somereserve funds or different funding streams, allowing them to operate for now. However, a prolonged shutdown could strain these programs too. We will stay vigilant and update you if anything changes. In the meantime, you should continue to access child care subsidies and services as usual.

(Sources: National WIC Association [1]; National Head Start Association [2]; First Five Years Fund analysis [3].)

Standing Together as a Community

Through all of this uncertainty, one thing is clear: our Linked Arms community is unshakable. We take care of each other. Just as our Fearless Queens refuse to give up, all of us – parents, providers, friends, and neighbors – are pulling together so that no child or family falls through the cracks.

Please remember that Linked Arms is here for you. As Washington State’s first ADOES (African Descendants of Enslaved) Family Child Care Association, we were founded to ensure our voices are heard and our families are supported. We are actively staying in touch with state and national partners to advocate for the funding of these essential programs. If you have questions, worries, or need help finding resources (for example, formula or food access), please reach out to us. Our community network is strong, and we will do everything we can to assist.

Finally, let’s continue to support one another. Check in on your friends and family. Share accurate information. Encourage one another to stay hopeful. This storm shall pass. By standing united, we ensure that our children continue to be loved, fed, and nurtured, no matter what challenges come our way.

Thank you for being a part of the Linked Arms family and for exemplifying courage and unity. Together, we will get through this difficult time and emerge even stronger.

In Solidarity,

Mary Curry

Co-President, Linked Arms (ADOES Family Child Care Association)

[1] National WIC Association – WIC has funds to remain open temporarily in a shutdown, but millions may lose access without swift congressional action.

[2] National Head Start Association – Ongoing shutdown threatens tens of thousands of Head Start slots by Nov. 1 without resolution.

[3] First Five Years Fund – Analysis of federal shutdown impact on early childhood programs (CCDBG, Head Start, etc.), noting short-term continuity with long-term risks.