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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 …

TOPLINES: Child Care in the 2025 Tax Reconciliation Package
The final version of the 2025 tax reconciliation package (also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act – H.R.1) was signed into law on July 4th, 2025. The bill …

Research Finds Preschool Enrollment Can Increase Parent Income
Preschool enrollment has the potential to substantially impact parents’ incomes. Parents’ Earnings and the Returns to Universal Pre-Kindergarten, a study on the economic impact of universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) enrollment in …

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 …

Head Start Announcement: New Supplemental Funding Available to Boost Nutrition Services
On July 29th, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced the availability of one-time supplemental funding with the goal of promoting healthy eating and improving nutrition services for children …

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 …

How Do Families Decide on Child Care? A New Study Examines Early Learning and Care Decision-Making
Without sufficient federal funding for early learning and care services, options for children and their families remain limited. Thankfully, there are efforts underway to increase access to affordable, high-quality care. …

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC): Maximum Credit Amounts for Families
The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) allows working families to keep more of what they earn to pay for child care. A family’s credit depends on four factors: …

State-By-State: A Look At How Many Families Receive the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC)
The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) helps millions of working families cover a portion of their child care costs. In 2022, more than 5.7 million families nationwide benefitted …

Job Posting: Government Affairs Manager
Location Washington, D.C. (hybrid; remote work Monday and Friday; in-office work Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) This position support First Five Years Fund and its related 501(c)(4) social advocacy arm, First Five Action …

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 …