Senate FY2022 Appropriations Proposal Includes Increases to Existing Federal Early Learning Programs

Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee released its proposed FY2022 funding bills, a 12-bill package to fund the federal government beyond December 3, 2021 when government funding under the most recent Continuing Resolution runs out. The appropriations package includes funding legislation from the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, which provides funding for core federal early childhood education programs, including the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5)Program, Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Program, and Head Start and Early Head Start. 

The Senate’s proposed FY2022 funding levels include:

• Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG)
  • $7.311 billion — $1.435 billion above FY2021
    
• Head Start and Early Head Start
  • $11.932 billion — $1.18 billion above FY2021
  • Increase of $500 million for Early Head Start – Child Care Partnerships
  •  Additional $234,000,000 for a cost of living adjustment
    
• Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5)
  • $450 million — $175 million above FY2021
    
• IDEA Part B Preschool Grants
  • $502.6 million — $105 million above FY2021
    
• IDEA Part C Grants for Infants and Families
  • $731.9 million — $250 million above FY2021
    
• Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program (CCAMPIS)
  • $110 million — $55 million above FY2021

In July, the House of Representatives voted to pass the FY2022 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) appropriations bill, which included important funding increases for several federal early learning programs, including CCDBG, PDG B-5, Head Start & Early Head Start, and other critical programs.

Earlier this year, FFYF compiled all of the “Dear Colleague” letters members of the House and Senate sent to FY2022 appropriators calling for robust funding for early childhood education programs. The five letters demonstrate steady support in the number of lawmakers who support early learning programs, including more than 1 in 5 House Republicans — highlighting just how popular these effective programs are across the political spectrum. More Republicans signed on to the CCDBG Dear Colleague than ever before, a 56% increase over the previous year. The 6 letters from both the House and Senate, garnered 225 signatures.

In recent years, early learning and care programs have received broad support and historic funding increases, regardless of the political party in control of Congress and the White House. Between FY2016 and FY2019, Head Start and Early Head Start saw an $890 million increase in funding, including $170 million for Early Head Start – Child Care Partnerships. Additionally, as part of negotiations for the FY 2018 budget, CCDBG saw a historical increase of $2.37 billion over FY2017 funding levels. More recently, the FY2020 spending bills included $1 billion in increased funding for federal early learning and care programs. 

Separate from the annual appropriations process, Congress is currently considering a major federal funding package – the Build Back Better Act – which includes significant, sustained investments in child care and preschool, among other crucial priorities. Click here to learn more about the early learning provisions of the Build Back Better Act.

FFYF looks forward to continuing to work with bipartisan leaders in the House and Senate to ensure the federal early learning and care programs receive the crucial funding increases they need in future government funding bills.

DownloadChart_Early Learning Funding For Key Programs_10-22-21 (127.88 kB)