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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Vice President Harris Visits Preschool to Discuss Plans for Major Early Learning & Care Investment
On Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris visited a Connecticut preschool, where she referenced the administration’s plans to strengthen the child care system and invest in quality early learning. This visit …
Two Bipartisan Bills to Address Quality, Affordability of Child Care introduced in Congress
Last week, Iowa’s Congressional leaders introduced two bipartisan bills, the ACCESS Act and the Improving Child Care for Working Families Act, to address the quality and affordability of child care. …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
