News & Resources
FEATURED PRIORITES
Appropriations FY2027
For FY2027, Congress should protect, prioritize, and expand these investments in programs including the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), Early Head Start/Head Start, and the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5).
Child Care is an Affordability Issue
“Affordability anxiety” is particularly high for parents of young children, where child care consistently stands out as one of the most significant and unavoidable expenses.
Modernizing Child Care
Modernizing the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is essential to ensuring more working families can access the quality, affordable child care care they need.
2026 Early Head Start and Head Start
Head Start has a long history of giving kids a strong start through comprehensive early learning, health, and nutrition services. We are focused on continuing to bolster overall support for this essential program at the federal level.
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Side-By-Side: Comparison of the Child Care & Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2024 to Current Law
The Child Care & Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the primary federal grant program that provides child care assistance to low-income working families with children under age 13. It plays …
Child Care Choices: An Overview of Early Learning and Care Settings
Finding child care that is affordable, safe, and developmentally appropriate is critical for children and families alike. Families also need choices to meet their specific needs. Children experience both short- and …
The Child Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit — Understanding the Difference
The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit support families in very different ways. Families need both. Child care is not a luxury for American families …
State by State: Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
It’s a struggle for millions of hard-working American families to afford quality child care. Federal programs and policies help support working families with child care expenses, but they are limited …
Survey Finds States Make Difficult Trade-offs When Pandemic-Era Child Care Funding Runs Out
The bulk of child care relief funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) expired last September, and the remaining $15 billion is set to expire next week. This funding …
The First Five Things To Know About: Child Care Is Infrastructure
Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) reintroduced her “Child Care Is Infrastructure” package, two bills designed to make critical investments in child care facilities and the early education workforce. Here are …
Inaugural Rural Child Care Forum Highlights the Administration’s Commitment to Serving Rural Communities
Earlier this month the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development (USDA RD) and the U.S Department of Health and Human Services – Administration for Child and Families (ACF) partnered …
2024 Candidate Briefing Book: Voters and Child Care
An election year provides an important opportunity to highlight issues that are top of mind for voters. In 2024, there is a growing sense of urgency around child care. Voters …
The First Five Questions for: Senators Tim Kaine and Katie Britt
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The First Five Years Fund (FFYF) hosted Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Katie Britt (R-AL) in the latest segment of our First Five Question Series – a …
Head Start Final Rule Makes Big Changes to Staff Compensation, Program Eligibility, and More
The Office of Head Start (OHS) published the final rule on August 21st, titled Supporting the Head Start Workforce and Consistent Quality Programming, updating the Head Start Program Performance Standards. …
Safety, Quality, and Accountability: Understanding Child Care and Early Learning Regulations
There are numerous policies in place to ensure the safety and quality of care for young children. Understanding the different levels of oversight that hold early care and education (ECE) …
