During the late hours of December 9, the Senate avoided a government shutdown and approved H.R. 2028, a continuing resolution (CR) that will fund the Federal government until April 28, 2017. CRs, which are used is the absence of a final budget bill, are funded at the same levels appropriated for the previous fiscal year (2016). In addition to maintaining child care and early childhood development programs at FY 2016 levels, the CR also includes $4.1 billion for Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts.

Arlington, VA, December 7, 2016  – Child Care Aware^® of America’s (CCAoA) 10th annual report researching child care costs in counties and states across the U.S. shows families can’t afford child care in 49 of 50 states.

Earlier today, the Department of Education published the final regulations to implement the "Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015."  The final ESSA regulations are designed to support states in maximizing their opportunities under the new law.

Last week, Child Care Aware® of America’s policy team hosted a webinar that provided a debrief on the 2016 election. The presentation included details on key staff for the incoming Trump Administration, the breakdown of the membership of the 115^th Congress, and the results of numerous elections at the state level. Our team also reviewed President-Elect Trump’s child care proposal, which was introduced in September, and outlined potential legislation that may support child care initiatives next year.

Child Care Aware^® of America is hosting a Facebook Live panel discussion on November 29 at 9 a.m. EST to talk with parents about the new landscape after the presidential election and what you can do to make child care is a priority. The panel will include compelling personal stories from three families who are facing challenges concerning child care cost, quality, and accessibility in their communities. This event will highlight our Child Care Works movement and coincides with #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving.