Federal Legislation for Child Care and Early Learning Initiatives
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Updated December 19, 2011
Support for Child Care in Congress
Early Learning Challenge Fund
Child Nutrition
ESEA Reauthorization
Families Earning, Children Learning: Support for Child Care in Congress
Child Care and Development Block Grant: Investment and Reauthorization
The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the primary federal funding stream for child care. Funds support quality initiatives in the states for all children, and funds provide subsidies to help eligible families pay for child care.
Congress completed the work on FY2012 investments for CCDBG and included a $60 million increase for the program.
The Appropriations Committees in the House and Senate work on the important details of funding levels for CCDBG.
CCDBG has been due for reauthorization in Congress since 2002. The House Education and Workforce Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee have jurisdiction over this legislation.
In September, the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Subcommittee on Children and Families held a hearing examining Quality and Safety in Child Care. The panel of witnesses included Dr. Eric Karolak, Executive Director of the Early Care and Education Consortium, to offer the provider prospective. Dr. Karolak said "There is much that can be done if we commit ourselves" and noted budget cuts hurt program quality.
Resources:
Child Care Assitance for Working Families, ECEC Policy Brief
Federal Funding News
Dr. Karolak's Testimony before the Senate HELP Committee
The Children First Act of 2011
Senator John Kerry introduced the "Children First Act of 2011". The bill aids parents and child care providers by increasing assistance available to families, and ensuring that child care standards for providers are the same regardless of the source of funding. Increases to CCDBG included in the bill also ensure that quality child care can be maintained even in these challenging economic times. ECEC supports this legislation.
Resources:
Summary of the Bill
Letter of Support
Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge
Early Learning Challenge Fund
The Early Learning Challenge Fund concept focuses on birth-to-five and is aimed at increasing the number of low-income children in high-quality programs.
The final FY11 funding legislation includes a new early childhood priority to be included with the $700 million for Race to the Top grants. While complete details are still forthcoming, these dollars could be a pathway to increasing the number of low-income children in high-quality programs.
Press Release
Legislation
Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Supporting State Systems of Early Learning Act in the 112th Congress. It would create a competitive fund to encourage states to invest in systems that will help develop high-quality early childhood environments from birth to school-entry.
Press Release
Child Nutrition Act Reauthorization and CACFP
For more information about CACFP, please see our Issues in Focus page.
Child Nutrition Act Completed in Congress
The House and Senate have both passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (S. 3307), completing the work on the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is developing guidance and regulations for the new provisions in the law created by Congress. ECEC will continue to work on behalf of providers as these issues move forward.
Resources:
ECEC Summary of Final Legislation
Chairman Miller's Press Release on House Passage of the Bill
ECEC Administration and Paperwork Priorities
Testimony of Carolyn Morrison, President of National CACFP Forum at House Education Committee Hearing
Senator Lincoln's Press Release on Committee Passage of S. 3307
USDA Guidance on CACFP
ECEC’s priority during the reauthorization process was to increase awareness and knowledge of CACFP, expand access to the program, and to garner support for providers who implement the program every day.
ECEC is working with Congress, USDA and the states to streamline and simplify paperwork and administration while maintaining accountability and integrity of program operations.
ESEA Reauthorization
Since 1965, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) has been the federal government’s primary legislative vehicle supporting and influencing K‐12 public education in more than 16,000 local school districts across the country. ESEA is up for reauthorization in Congress, and both the House and Senate have noted that they would like to reauthorize the bill in this Congress. (The last time this legislation was reauthorized - in 2002 - it got the name "No Child Left Behind Act.")
Resources:
What is Title I and How are Funds Used for Preschool?
Administration "Blueprint" for ESEA Reauthorization
Comments on Early Childhood Workforce, ECEC Board President Bob Siegel
Letter to House Education Committee from ECEC, 111th Congress
Letter to Senate HELP Committee from ECEC, 111th
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