Fiscal year 2011 came and went without appropriations to various federal programs, such as Head Start. But Congress did pass a $219 billion continuing resolution to continue the flow of federal dollars at previous levels.

The continuing resolution, H.R. 3081, is set to expire at the end of this year.

According to the National Head Start Association, the continuing resolution maintains current fiscal year 2010 funding levels for Head Start and Early Head Start, but it does not include any language that would "hold Head Start harmless at the end of FY 2011 when [American Reinvestment and Recovery Act] expansion funds will run out."

Head Start and Early Head Start received a total of $2.1 billion in ARRA money last year on top of a federal appropriation of more than $7.2 billion, a $122 million increase over fiscal year 2009.

The continuing resolution also provides funding for the Child Nutrition Act, funds utilized by Head Start agencies to feed students where year round activities occur. This means that, although child nutrition legislation has been moving through Congress, there will be no changes to its funding rates until a new act specifically designates those changes.

Meanwhile, Head Start will continue to be eligible for funds through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, block grant and the Child Care Entitlement states program.