JOINT STATEMENT: National Organizations on Federal Child Care Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is a federal state partnership that makes it possible for hundreds of thousands of families with young children to afford safe, quality child care. CCDF is largely funded by the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and administered by states. It supports working families in every state and congressional district and plays a critical role in healthy child development and a strong local workforce. The following joint statement is issued by 42 national organizations to emphasize the urgent need to ensure that federal child care resources continue to reach eligible families with young children, while maintaining active oversight and accountability.

“For decades, CCDF has made it possible for hard-working families to afford safe, quality care for their children while parents work or go to school. It supports working families, strengthens local economies, and promotes the healthy development of young children. Without this program these families would not be able to afford child care, leading to strained finances, stress, and increased instability for their children. The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is a trusted bipartisan program with a long history of support.

Fraud at any level is unacceptable and takes valuable child care away from eligible families. Every dollar of CCDF funding must be used wisely and as intended, to support programs and hard-working educators in providing critical child care for eligible families and children. Simultaneously, it is essential that the strong oversight and internal controls already in place to govern these resources are ensuring the funding is being used properly, and that it continues to reach hard-working, eligible families. 

We urge leaders to act with urgency to ensure that the Administration for Children and Families disburses CCDF funding without further disruption, while working in partnership with states as they deliver CCDF funding efficiently and responsibly. We also urge Congress to protect and prioritize child care investments during the Appropriations process, continue the strong, bipartisan support for the Child Care and Development Block Grant program, and build upon efforts to increase access to affordable, quality child care.”

Signed, 

DownloadJoint Statement Child Care Program (55.93 kB)