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.

Yesterday, House Republican leadership announced that they will draft another continuing resolution (CR) that will fund the government until March 31, 2017. This is being done in consultation with President-Elect Donald Trump's transition team. There is bipartisan opposition to this proposal in the Senate, however it appears unlikely that it would be filibustered. The current CR expires on December 9, 2016.

Yesterday, the Department of Education issued a non-regulatory guidance on the early learning opportunities in the "Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015." The guidance does not include any required actions that state and local education agencies must follow, rather, suggested activities to help strengthen early learning programs.

Building on her plan to help working families gain access to child care and lift themselves out of poverty, the Democratic nominee for President, Hillary Clinton, proposed to expand the child tax credit for families living in poverty and families with children under the age of four who qualify. According to the Clinton campaign, up to 15 million children would benefit from this plan.