Last month, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) published the final rule for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) based on the 2014 Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG). This final rule updates CCDF regulations for the first time since 1998.

We were excited to hear child care mentioned in the first 10 minutes of the first Presidential debate. It makes sense - 90% of Americans want the next president to expand access to child care and early learning opportunities. It's a critical issue that candidates across the aisle can agree on.

Child care is a necessity for many of today’s American families, especially low- and middle-income families, yet the cost of accessing high-quality care often rivals the cost of housing.

For four years running, the First Five Years Fund’s annual national bipartisan poll shows that early childhood education and care is a national priority for Americans, regardless of party. Even now, in the midst of an angry and polarized election, 90 percent of voters agree on one thing: Congress and the next president should work together to make quality early childhood education and care more accessible and affordable to low- and middle-income families. That includes 78 percent of Trump supporters and 97 percent of Clinton supporters.

On Wednesday, September 28, leaders in the child care space will discuss the state of the caregiving landscape and how to support families and value care. Child Care Aware® of America is pleased to partner with New America’s Better Life Lab, Care.com, and AT Kearney to launch The Care Index and New America Care Report.

Join Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) and the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) for a webinar on serving homeless children under the Child Care and Development Fund Program.

Arlington, VA – The importance of high-quality, affordable child care continues to remain a high priority issue for Presidential candidates this election year. To date, both candidates have submitted child care proposals that could impact parents, including paid maternity or family leave and tax credits for families. Child Care Aware^® of America is closely following the candidates’ proposals and is focused on ensuring that this issue remain a national priority for the next administration.