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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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Press Releases & Statements

Child Care for Working Families Act Re-Introduced in Congress

April 22, 2021

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) re-introduced the Child Care for Working Families Act (CCWFA), comprehensive legislation that would address access, affordability, and quality …

Policy Letters

Advocates Call for Increased FY2022 Appropriations for Early Learning and Care Programs

March 31, 2021

This week, FFYF and other national early care and education advocacy organizations sent a letter calling on Congress to provide increased funding for federal early learning and care programs, including the Child …

Events & Hearings

FFYF Hosts Congressional Briefing on Federal ECE Programs Ahead of FY22 Appropriations

March 25, 2021

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, …

Press Releases & Statements

Becerra Confirmed as HHS Secretary, Will Oversee Important Early Learning & Care Programs

March 18, 2021

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 …

Press Releases & Statements

Congress Passes American Rescue Plan with $39 Billion in Child Care Relief

March 10, 2021

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 …

Data & Analysis

Comparing Early Learning and Care Provisions in the House, Senate, and Final FY21 Budget Reconciliation Packages

March 10, 2021

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 …

Press Releases & Statements

Following Senate Passage, American Rescue Plan with $39 Billion in Child Care Relief Poised to Become Law

March 6, 2021

WASHINGTON – Moments ago, the Senate voted to pass the American Rescue Plan, a sweeping pandemic relief package with $39 billion in child care relief funding, including $15 billion for …

Data & Analysis

Child Care and Early Learning in the Senate Version of the American Rescue Plan

March 6, 2021

On Saturday morning, the Senate voted to pass the American Rescue Plan, a sweeping pandemic relief package with $39 billion in child care relief funding, including $15 billion for the …

Events & Hearings

During HHS Confirmation Hearings, Becerra Emphasizes Importance of Federal Early Learning and Care Programs

March 1, 2021

Child care and early learning were in the spotlight during Health and Human Services nominee Xavier Becerra’s recent Senate confirmation hearings. During his opening remarks to the Senate Health, Education, …

Press Releases & Statements

House Passes American Rescue Plan With $39 Billion in Child Care Relief

February 27, 2021

WASHINGTON – Early this morning, the House of Representatives voted to pass the American Rescue Plan, a sweeping pandemic relief package with $39 billion in child care relief funding, including …

Factsheets

2021 ABCs of Federal Early Learning and Care Funding Streams

February 19, 2021

Every year, millions of low-income children from birth through age five benefit from the array of federal early learning and care programs. Each is governed by specific legislative and regulatory …

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