Each November, Military Family Appreciation Month reminds us of the extraordinary commitment military families make and the support they need to thrive. At Child Care Aware® of America, we work to ensure every family has access to the child care resources and community connections that make stability possible, especially during the unique challenges of military life. By elevating stories like the one we’re sharing today, we highlight the real impact of a strong, coordinated national network of state and community organizations working together to help families find quality care, stay mission-ready, and feel supported every step of the way. 

A year after federal relief funding for child care ended, many states are confronting the troubling—yet familiar—signs of instability in their child care systems. The infusion of federal aid, paired with smart state policy, had helped programs reopen or stay open, and had even grown the supply of care in some states during and following the pandemic. Between 2023 and 2024, Child Care Aware of America found that the number of licensed centers grew by 1.6% and family child care homes by 4.8%. But with relief funds gone, flat funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant in FY 2025, and flat or modestly increased federal funding for FY 2026, many states are grappling with what to do next. 

After reopening the government, Congress has given themselves until January 30 to finalize funding decisions, including how much to invest in child care and early learning programs. We’re encouraged to see the government shutdown finally come to an end—this is a step forward and affirms the direction child care advocates have been pushing for. With federal agencies reopening, critical funding for programs like SNAP, WIC, and Head Start should begin flowing again.  

These past weeks have shown just how essential these programs are to the health and well-being of our communities. And although funding has resumed, many families will still feel the effects of policy decisions already in motion. For SNAP, families will see cuts to the program passed this past summer in H.R. 1 begin to go into effect even with a full year of funding secured.  

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As of October 1, the federal government shut down after Congress failed to reach a funding agreement for FY26. While the federal programs supporting child care are not expected to have funding or operations impacted for the time being, many other vital programs won’t be able to run as usual. Government shutdowns create real harm for families and communities across the country.  

Partnerships in Child Care – Building Strong Foundations in South Central Louisiana

When it comes to supporting the early childhood community, Tonya Harden and her team at Partnerships in Child Care, part of Volunteers of America South Central Louisiana, embody what it means to be a full-service, community-driven CCR&R. 

Looking Back at the 2025 Leadership Institute

At Child Care Aware® of America’s 2025 Leadership Institute, one theme echoed through every conversation, plenary, and hallway exchange: we are CCR&R Strong and we are building a Foundation for the Future.

Even though the child care system faces challenges there are paths forward. Sustainable child care isn’t just possible—it’s achievable, if we act together. Experts discussed these paths forward during a Congressional briefing held by Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) and the Buffet Early Childhood Institute on September 10, 2025 to examine how to use what we have learned to improve the child care system.