News & Resources
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Every morning, FFYF reports on the latest child care & early learning news from across the country. Subscribe and take 5 minutes to know what's happening in early childhood education.
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FFYF Hosts Congressional Briefing on Federal ECE Programs Ahead of FY22 Appropriations
On Tuesday, the First Five Years Fund hosted a virtual briefing on federal funding for early learning and care programs, including the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program, …
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ACF Publishes State Plans for Child Care Funding from December Relief Bill
Today, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) published reports from each state outlining their plans for emergency child care relief funds provided in the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental …
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FY22 Early Learning and Care Appropriations Letters
The annual appropriations process is an important time for legislators to determine their priorities for the next fiscal year. Congress uses this process to allocate funding for federal programs, activities …
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Becerra Confirmed as HHS Secretary, Will Oversee Important Early Learning & Care Programs
WASHINGTON – In a bipartisan vote today, the Senate confirmed Xavier Becerra as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Once he is sworn in by Vice …
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New White Paper Identifies Strategies to Expand the Early Learning Talent Pool
In January, Bellwether Education Partners, the National Head Start Association, and the HeadStarter Network released its new white paper, Broader, Deeper, Fairer: Five Strategies to Radically Expand the Talent Pool …
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Child Care is Infrastructure Act Introduced in House
In an effort to bolster funding for the child care industry to provide the highest quality care to our nation’s youngest learners, Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA) introduced the Child Care …
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CDC Guidance for Operating Child Care Programs During COVID-19
Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance for operating child care programs during COVID-19 based on the most recent science and new evidence around important …
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Timeline of COVID-19 Relief for the Child Care Industry and Working Families
The COVID-19 economic crisis has had a devastating impact on child care providers, causing widespread layoffs and closures nationwide. Significant declines in enrollment paired with steep increases in operating expenses …
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Congress Passes American Rescue Plan with $39 Billion in Child Care Relief
UPDATE: On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law. WASHINGTON – Moments ago, the House voted to pass the American Rescue Plan after it …
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Child Care and Early Learning in the American Rescue Plan
In the 117th Congress, the House and Senate are pursuing additional relief through the reconciliation process and have adopted a concurrent resolution on the FY2021 budget. The resolution directs certain …
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Comparing Early Learning and Care Provisions in the House, Senate, and Final FY21 Budget Reconciliation Packages
Recognizing the essential role of child care — its proven benefits to a child’s learning and healthy development and its support of America’s labor market and economy by allowing parents …