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STATE OF PLAY: Federal Shutdown and Child Care/Early Learning Programs
UPDATE: Day 38 of the Federal Shutdown 11/7/25 As the shutdown continues, Head Start programs in 40+ states did not receive their scheduled funding on November 1st. Head Start sites …
JOINT STATEMENT: Groups Call on Congress to Protect Head Start, End the Shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Families with young children are feeling the pain of the federal shutdown, and without immediate Congressional action, tens of thousands of children could lose access to Head …
ANALYSIS: FFYF’s 2025 State Fact Sheets
FFYF’s 2025 State Fact Sheets show how federal investments in child care impact working parents, children, and the economy. These federal programs not only benefit families nationwide, they also serve …
Funding for Key Early Learning Programs, FY2026
Each year, Congress determines funding levels for all of the federal defense and non-defense discretionary programs, including those that support the care and education of children from birth through age …
FFYF Capsule Collection: Appropriations and Child Care
What Are Appropriations? In A Nutshell EvEven with growing support from states, businesses and philanthropy, federal funding makes up the majority of investment in child care and early learning in …
STATE OF PLAY: Appropriations
Each year, Congress determines funding levels for all federal defense and non-defense discretionary programs, including those that support the care and education of children from birth through age five. Traditionally, …
STATEMENT: FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling on Senate Markup of FY26 Funding Levels for Child Care and Early Learning Programs
WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee held a markup of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act to establish proposed funding levels for child care and …
WEBINAR: Make the Most of August Recess
During August, Members of Congress return to their home states and districts for a scheduled recess to hear directly from the people they represent. This at home work period is …
TOOLKIT: Tell Your Member of Congress – Child Care is Critical!
Members of Congress are home for the last time before the September funding deadline — and this is our moment to speak up. Child care is one of the biggest …
APPROPRIATIONS: FY2026 Dear Colleague Letters
Each year, Members of Congress submit letters requesting robust funding for child care and early learning programs. Historically, letters requesting funding for child care have been bipartisan and incredibly popular. …
FY2026: Community Letter to Appropriators Calls For Robust Funding for Child Care and Early Learning
WASHINGTON – The First Five Years Fund (FFYF) and a coalition of 146 major early education advocacy organizations from 36 states have a new letter to Congressional appropriators calling for …
