It also said it would allow local Head Start programs to keep policies that “best address the needs of their communities.” A handful of California Head Start programs shuttered during the government shutdown last fall, but reopened when legislators returned to work. It’s likely Head Start will have less qualified teachers, larger class sizes and fewer opportunities for parent involvement, she said. Head Start offers health screenings, meals, curriculum focused on literacy and math, and resources for parents such as parenting classes. Cost of losing disability screeningOne Head Start standard that could be especially costly to eliminate is disability screening.