October 31, 2025 

Statement by EdTrust in Louisiana on the Federal Government Shutdown and Its Impact on Louisiana Students and Families 

Baton Rouge, La. — The federal shutdown continues to jeopardize essential support for Louisiana children and families, including early-learning programs and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). We recognize and appreciate the state’s emergency actions to blunt immediate harm, such as issuing an emergency declaration and preparing state resources to try and ensure that SNAP benefits continue during the shutdown. The state is reportedly set to cover approximately $150 million per month to keep benefits flowing to eligible households. It is important to note that not all Louisiana residents qualify for this state SNAP coverage, so please check with your benefits office to confirm your eligibility for these resources.  

These stopgaps are crucial for the more than 840,000 Louisianans who rely on SNAP each month, but they are no substitute for a fully functioning federal government. Prolonged uncertainty still threatens early-childhood programs like Head Start and other federally funded services that help prepare children for school. Louisiana’s Head Start, Early Head Start, and Migrant/Seasonal Head Start programs serve over 22,000 children and families statewide. State support cannot fully replace federal appropriations or provide long-term stability for families and schools.  

“Louisiana families need predictability, not panic. We’re encouraged that the state moved quickly to protect SNAP in the short term, but students cannot rely on emergency declarations alone. Congress must come to a resolution on healthcare, restoring federal funding for nutrition and early-learning programs, and give schools and families the stability they deserve,” said Tramelle Howard, J.D., director of EdTrust in Louisiana. 

EdTrust in Louisiana urges Congress and the administration to come to an agreement immediately and restore federal funding that protects access to healthcare, children’s nutrition, early learning, and educational opportunity. We also encourage continued coordination between state and local providers to ensure that families receive clear and timely information about benefits and services during this period. Louisiana’s students deserve stability, not temporary fixes and the fear of future funding lapses.