Child Care Aware® of America has been selected as a 2016 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Designated Charity! The Combined Federal Campaign is the only authorized workplace giving opportunity for federal employees and members of the military. It runs September 1 – December 30 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Participation is optional, and all donations are tax deductible.

Arlington, VA – Child Care Aware^® of America (CCAoA) is taking significant steps to strengthen the emergency preparedness of children and child care providers by working directly with three communities on a new two-year pilot project. Over the next two years, CCAoA will work with Child Care Aware^® of Kansas, Child Care Aware^® of Minnesota, and the Child Care Resource Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma to provide and deliver new trainings, technical assistance, tools, and resources.

Although it is hard to believe, the first day of school is right around the corner and many are busying themselves in preparation! Child Care Aware® of America has also been busy at work this month with various initiatives, including the release of our Child Care in America: 2016 State Fact Sheets.

Below is more information on this year’s State Fact Sheets and some additional highlights from July.

Summer has arrived, and with it comes beautiful weather and longer days. This month we celebrated fathers, who play an important role in the early education and development of children. We also concluded Faces of Child Care, our eight-week series of stories from individuals who are transforming the child care system in inspiring ways. Learn more about our series and how you can make an investment in our nation’s future.

Earlier this week, the Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan (R-WI), unveiled his much anticipated anti-poverty plan. The proposal, titled “A Better Way,” addresses federal programs that assist low-income families including TANF, SNAP, and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. In addition, the plan includes ideas on expanding access to 401(k)s for small businesses, and promoting access to affordable retirement advice.