Federal Legislation & Budget

2020 Federal Budget Passed with Modest Increases

The President signed a budget which includes over $1 billion for child care & early learning:

A total of $5.826 billion for CCDBG, an increase of +$550 million over last year.
A total of $10.613 billion for Head Start, an increase of +$550 million over last year, including +$100 million for Early Head Start, +$193 million for a cost-of-living-adjustment, +$250 million for quality improvement activities, and some other small plus-ups.
A total of $275 million for PDG, an increase of +$25 million over last year.

Overall, this is good news and an important step forward, though we need significant additional funding to reach our shared vision of high-quality, affordable child care for all.

Child Care for Working Families Act of 2019

The Child Care for Working Families Act of 2019 was recently introduced into Congress by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) with Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI). This bill would ensure parents have access to high quality, affordable child care options, and that provider are paid at least a living wage so they can support themselves and their families.

Child Care & Development Block Grant (CCDBG)

CCDBG received a $2.37 billion increase in fiscal year 2018, which is the largest in the program’s history. In addition, the bill includes language encouraging states to support the full implementation of the CCDBG Act as reauthorized in 2014, including activities to improve the quality and safety of child care programs, increasing provider reimbursement rates, and ensuring health and safety standards are met.

Included in the increase:

A $610 million increase for Head Start ($115 million of that for Early Head Start that will be used for Early Head Start expansion or Early Head Start/child care partnerships)
A $35 million increase for CCAMPIS that funds child care for mothers in college
A $20 million increase for 21^st Century Community Learning Centers which supports after school programs
A $11.4 million increase for Part C of IDEA
A $12.8 million increase for Part B Sec 619 of IDEA
Flat funding for Preschool Development Grants at $250 million

Fact sheet on state impact of the bill

CCDBG Information from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families

CCDBG Act of 2014 Plain Language Summary

Statutory Language with Mark-up of Changes

CCDBG Reauthorization Timeline

The Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization: Changes to Previous Law

Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM)