Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Overview
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is the second largest source of public funding for child care in the United States.
TANF provides grants to states to help design and operate programs that support low-income families, including through increased access to child care and early learning opportunities, which helps parents to enter or return to the workforce.
For decades, federal regulations and guidance have allowed TANF funds to support or expand a broad range of child care and early learning initiatives in states.
Top News and Resources
Total Federal TANF & State MOE Expenditures for Child Care and Early Learning
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides federal grants to states to design and operate programs that help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency. TANF plays a crucial role in …
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program Overview
TANF provides grants to states to help design and operate programs that support low-income families, including through increased access to child care and early education opportunities, which helps parents to …
2026: ABCs of Federal Early Learning & Child Care Funding Streams
Each year, millions of children from birth through age five benefit from an array of federal early learning and care programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services …
Hot Topic: PDG B-5 Grants, December 2025
UPDATE 11/25/25 The deadline for applications for Systems-Building Grants is swiftly approaching. A few notes: Last week, Start Early, BUILD, EducationCounsel, and the Alliance for Early Success hosted a webinar …
ACF: How Early Learning Programs Align With Executive Order on School Choice
Last week, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued two Information Memorandums (IM) and one Dear Colleague Letter addressing …
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