ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Thousands of government workers are now out of a job as the federal shutdown stretches into another week.

More than 460 employees at the U.S. Department of Education have been laid off, according to the Associated Press.

The American Federation of Government Employees, a union that represents federal workers, says this includes most of the workers from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, which supports millions of children nationwide.

The union said the cuts threaten enforcement of special education laws, civil rights protections and after-school programs.

In a letter to staff, Department of Education officials blamed the ongoing shutdown and called the reductions unavoidable. Around 87% of the department’s workforce is currently furloughed.

Georgia’s Department of Education stressed that the layoffs are federal, not state, and said funding for special education will continue to reach local schools. Still, advocates warn that without Washington’s oversight, students could slip through the cracks.

For parents like Carol Veschi of Roswell, the cuts are personal. Veschi has adopted six children, all with Individualized Education Programs. She sued Fulton County Schools after her son, who has autism, was repeatedly restrained.

“Just human decency — to treat them like human beings and to care that they’re getting hurt,” Veschi said.

Her daughter, a high school student and member of JROTC, is still receiving services, but Veschi fears that without federal oversight, those safeguards could be in jeopardy.

“Without safeguards in place, I’m fearful of children being harmed in the future,” she said.

The Associated Press reports the Education Department is now less than half the size it was when President Donald Trump took office in January, with further funding cuts possible.

House Speaker Mike Johnson warned the shutdown could become one of the longest in U.S. history unless Democrats agree to pass a budget without conditions.

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