Statement: Federal government shutdown is creating immediate hardships for Michigan’s students and families

The ongoing federal government shutdown is creating real and immediate hardships for Michigan’s students and families, especially those already facing economic instability. Nearly 1.4 million Michiganders, including hundreds of thousands of children, rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to put food on the table. If benefits are delayed or suspended, more students will arrive at school hungry, distracted, and less ready to learn. 

The impacts extend beyond nutrition. With the abrupt closure of the Head Start Region 5 office, which supports early learning for more than 30,000 Michigan children and families, early childhood programs may face disruptions in staffing, health screenings, and family engagement services. Together, these interruptions threaten to widen existing inequities and deepen barriers to attendance and achievement—particularly in communities already grappling with high rates of chronic absenteeism. 

“When federal programs that families count on like SNAP and Head Start are disrupted, the classroom feels it almost immediately,” said Jennifer Mrozowski, Senior Director of Communications and External Relations at EdTrust–Midwest. “Children can’t focus on learning when their basic needs aren’t met. For Michigan, this isn’t just a policy issue, it’s a call to action to ensure every child has the stability and support they need to succeed.”

If the shutdown continues through November, the consequences will be severe for Michigan families, schools, and local economies alike. This reinforces the urgent need for a swift resolution and stronger protections for the systems that safeguard children’s learning and well-being.