Child Care Aware® of America has launched a new project to pilot Vroom® as a tool to drive narrative change and build the capacity of families as child care advocates, as part of a three-year grant from the Bezos Family Foundation.

On Tuesday, February 3, the House took a final vote to pass federal government funding for fiscal year 2026 (ending Sept. 30, 2026); the president has indicated that he will sign the bill into law. This vote both secures stable funding for child care and early learning for the remainder of FY26, ending a brief government shut down, and also separates full-year funding for the Department of Homeland Security—a move Child Care Aware® of America called for last week. 

The Senate is set to take a vote this week on a sweeping package that bundles six separate funding bills to avert yet another government shutdown, including support for child care and early learning in the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026. 

Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA), the nation’s leading organization with an on-the-ground network making child care work for children, families, and communities, announced today that Carl Hairston, Dr. Sarah Lang, and Dr. Charlene Wong have joined its board of directors.  

“These three exceptional leaders bring deep expertise, lived experience, and a shared commitment to building a future where quality child care ignites opportunity for every child, family and community, said Encarni Gallardo, Child Care Aware’s board chair. “I am honored to welcome them and energized by the leadership they bring as we continue to advance our strategic vision for a child care system that is truly child care strong.” 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is a federal state partnership that makes it possible for hundreds of thousands of families with young children to afford safe, quality child care. CCDF is largely funded by the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and administered by states. It supports working families in every state and congressional district and plays a critical role in healthy child development and a strong local workforce. The following joint statement is issued by 42 national organizations to emphasize the urgent need to ensure that federal child care resources continue to reach eligible families with young children, while maintaining active oversight and accountability.

UPDATED: January 13, 2026  |  2:30PM ET

WASHINGTON, DC, January 13, 2026—We are encouraged to learn that as of Tuesday, January 13, some states have been able to draw down their CCDF dollars.

We continue to urge the Administration to immediately release CCDF funds, any delays will cause significant disruption to families and child care providers across the country.

UPDATED: January 12, 2026  |  1:30PM ET

WASHINGTON, DC, January 12, 2026— Last week, the 5 states (CO, CA, IL, NY, MN) that had been notified of a restricted draw down of their federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) dollars filed a lawsuit against the federal government. On Friday, January 9, a federal court temporarily blocked the Administration from stopping these 5 states from drawing down their funds while the lawsuit progresses. For all other states, they are continuing to be asked to provide additional information to access those funds. 

As of Monday morning, states continue to face delays in accessing their funds. For example, at this time Missouri has reported that their funds have not been dispersed on the expected schedule, leaving the state waiting on anticipated federal funds. About 53% of Missouri child care providers were impacted by this delay. 

We continue to urge the Administration to immediately release CCDF funds, any delays will cause significant disruption to families and child care providers across the country.  

UPDATED: January 7, 2026  |  12:30PM ET

WASHINGTON, DC, January 7, 2026—We are continuing to monitor the Administration’s announcement that it would freeze child care funds to all states.  

As the federal government shutdown enters its third week, it is critical that Congress and the President work now to avert additional harm for children, families, and communities. 

“Child Care Aware® of America is pleased to support the Child Care Modernization Act and thanks Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) for their leadership updating the Child Care and Development Block Grant, the primary federal program that helps working families afford child care,” said Susan Gale Perry, Chief Executive Officer at Child Care Aware® of America. “With the national annual price of child care at an average of $13,128, we know that child care is out of reach for many families across the country. The Child Care Modernization Act recognizes that we must do more to make child care more affordable and more available, and alongside strong investments in our child care system would move us forward towards that goal.” 

Arlington, VA—Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) has released the State Session Round-Up: Summer 2025, a review of state legislative action on child care. The report finds that many states made historic investments and policy innovations in 2025 and continue to lead the way in creative child care supply and demand side policy solutions and investments.  

Child Care Aware® of America is pleased to support the reintroduction of the Child Care for Working Families Act and thanks Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) for their leadership on behalf of our country’s children, families, child care providers, and communities. 81% of parents say that expanding access to affordable, quality child care should be a top or high priority for both federal and state policymakers—thank you Senator Murray and Representative Scott for acting on parents’ priorities.