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.  

Washington, D.C.—With the release of the Trump Administration’s full Fiscal Year 2026 Budget request, Susan Gale Perry, Chief Executive Officer at Child Care Aware of America, issued the following statement:   

Washington, D.C. – Following the House of Representatives’ passage of their budget reconciliation bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), Susan Gale Perry, Chief Executive Officer at Child Care Aware of America, issued the following statement:   

Arlington, VA—While America’s child care supply grew nationally, the price of that care continues to rise—placing affordable, high-quality care out of reach for many families. A new report released today by Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA), Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply, shows that despite promising signs of increased supply, affordability remains a major barrier—and underscores the need for increased, sustained federal and state investment.  

Arlington, VA—Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) proudly leads families, advocates, communities, and child care leaders across the country on May 9, 2025, in the celebration of Provider Appreciation Day to honor the extraordinary dedication of child care providers. These professionals are the backbone of early childhood development—nurturing young children, supporting working families.   

Arlington, VA—Today, Child Care Aware of America® released its groundbreaking new position statement: Making States and Communities Child Care Strong: The Role of Child Care Resource & Referral Organizations designed to elevate the critical role of child care resource and referral organizations (CCR&Rs) by clarifying the essential services they provide, defining what effective CCR&Rs look like, and offering actionable strategies for policymakers, administrators, business leaders, and CCR&Rs themselves to work together to strengthen child care systems nationwide.