NORTHEAST KINGDOM – The Trump administration’s newly-announced Federal funding freeze on grants and loans has sparked deep concern across Vermont, particularly for Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) and the rural communities it serves in Essex, Caledonia and Orleans counties. The freeze halts tens of billions of dollars in federal funding, including critical programs like Head Start, LiHEAP (Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program), and CSBG (Community Services Block Grant), which make up over half of NEKCA’s annual budget.
NEKCA, a lifeline for thousands of Northeast Kingdom residents, relies on federal funding to deliver essential services. The freeze will have immediate and far-reaching impacts, especially for the most vulnerable populations in Essex, Caledonia, and Orleans counties.
NEKCA’s Head Start program, which serves 132 children, 120 of whom meet federal poverty level requirements, faces severe consequences as daily payroll and operational costs total $17,839. A delay in federal funding could result in missed payrolls for 81 staff members and potential interruptions to services, jeopardizing the early education and care of children in the region. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) program, essential during Vermont’s harsh winters, has already provided $36,000 in crisis fuel assistance this season, with $145,000 budgeted annually to support 78 eligible households. Any disruption in funding could leave families without heating during the coldest time of the year. Additionally, community services supported by CSBG, such as food access, financial coaching, tax assistance and general operational support, depend on daily funding allocations of $1,262 for payroll and $1,145 for operations. These delays will affect 15 staff members and decimate NEKCA’s capacity to assist families in need.
The Northeast Kingdom already faces significant economic challenges, with Essex County experiencing the highest poverty rate in Vermont. Statewide, 18% of households live in poverty, including one in eight children. Homelessness has risen 197% since 2020, with families and children disproportionately affected.
“While poverty rates have declined statewide over the past decade, the Northeast Kingdom remains one of the most economically vulnerable regions in Vermont,” said Jenna O’Farrell, NEKCA executive director. “This funding freeze threatens to unravel years of progress and destabilize the families who rely on these vital services. Without these programs, many families in the NEK may not be able to put food on the table, go to work due to a lack of childcare, or heat their homes.”
The freeze on Head Start funds has already prompted warnings of delays from the federal government. Many agencies, like NEKCA, operate on tight budgets with little room for cash flow interruptions. The consequences could include missed payrolls, suspension of programs, and widespread hardship for families already living on the edge.
NEKCA emphasizes that these programs are not optional luxuries but essential supports that keep families warm, fed, and housed. The organization is urging federal lawmakers to challenge the freeze and ensure timely restoration of funding.
NEKCA calls on Vermont’s congressional delegation, community leaders, and local partners to advocate for a swift resolution to the funding freeze. Without immediate intervention, the most vulnerable Vermonters, including children, seniors, and those with disabilities, will bear the brunt of the administration’s actions.
Truley Wingert is NEKCA director of development and communications. NEKCA runs the Hardwick Head Start/Early Head Start program at the Caspian Lake Lodge #87, 61 Church St, Hardwick, (855) 663-5224.
Truley Wingert
