Skip Navigation

federal funding

Toolkits & Talking Points

TOOLKIT: End the Shutdown Day of Action – October 29th

October 30, 2025

What an incredible Day of Action! Yesterday, voices nationwide united with a single message to Congress:  Protect Head Start and end the shutdown. Nearly 50 organizations across the country took …

Policy Letters

JOINT STATEMENT: Groups Call on Congress to Protect Head Start, End the Shutdown

October 29, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Families with young children are feeling the pain of the federal shutdown, and without immediate Congressional action, tens of thousands of children could lose access to Head …

Press Releases & Statements

STATEMENT: Protect Head Start. End the Shutdown.

October 17, 2025

As the federal government shutdown enters its third week, families are facing growing uncertainty and financial pressure. We have a clear message to Congress: America’s families need Head Start. End …

Polling

Polling Highlights: Missouri, Oklahoma, and Ohio Voters on Child Care Challenges, Workforce Impact, and Need for Action

October 6, 2025

In a new poll from First Five Years Fund and state child care organizations, voters in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Ohio say child care is a necessity for families and a …

Factsheets

First Five Things To Know About: The Child Care Modernization Act

September 18, 2025

Parents want child care options that meet their family’s unique needs and support their child’s healthy development. Yet today, far too many working families struggle to find and afford the …

Press Releases & Statements

STATEMENT: FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling on House Markup of FY26 Funding Levels for Child Care and Early Learning Programs

September 3, 2025

On September 2, 2025 the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its FY2026 funding bill, including federal funding  for child care and …

Data & Analysis

The First Five Things to Know About: Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5)

August 19, 2025

Due to limited budgets and capacity, many states struggle to support the important activities – like data collection, research, infrastructure development, and other quality initiatives – that can make their …

Press Releases & Statements

STATEMENT: FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling on Senate Markup of FY26 Funding Levels for Child Care and Early Learning Programs

July 31, 2025

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 …

Events & Hearings

WEBINAR: Make the Most of August Recess

July 22, 2025

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 …

Toolkits & Talking Points

TOOLKIT: Tell Your Member of Congress – Child Care is Critical!

July 18, 2025

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 …

Press Releases & Statements

FFYF’s Sarah Rittling on Child Care Tax Enhancements in the Final Reconciliation Package 

July 3, 2025

Final passage of the 2025 reconciliation bill contains updates to tax credits which will help make child care more affordable for more working families with young children including: The following …

Data & Analysis

Overview: White House Budget Request, FY2026

June 17, 2025

On May 30, the White House released its official budget request for Fiscal Year 2026, with supplemental information following a week later in the Congressional Justification for the newly renamed …

Stay Updated

Receive monthly updates on the latest news, policy, and actions to advance federal investment in children and their families.