Sponsors (8)
The bill directs federal grants and training support to expand local child care supply and workforce capacity—improving access and jobs—but does so with substantial state/tribal cost-sharing, competitive and time-limited grants, administrative set-asides, and unresolved allocation details that could leave gaps and create fiscal strains.
Parents and families in child care deserts will gain new or renovated local child care slots as federal grants fund construction and family child care homes.
Individuals pursuing child care careers will get greater access to tuition, training, and credential programs because grants and leveraged federal programs expand workforce education resources.
Low-income families (including those in nontraditional-hour work) can see improved availability of affordable and flexible child care because grants encourage affordability and nonstandard-hour services.
State and Tribal governments must cover 50% of project costs, which could strain state/tribal budgets or force shifting funds from other priorities.
Competitive grant awards risk uneven geographic distribution, leaving some child care deserts and communities without assistance.
Five-year grant limits create sustainability risk when grant funding ends, potentially causing service reductions or closures after grants expire.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Introduced January 21, 2025 by Amy Klobuchar · Last progress January 21, 2025
Creates a new competitive grant program run by HHS (with consultation from Education and Labor) to help States and Tribal entities expand the child care workforce and build or renovate child care facilities in designated "child care deserts." Grants (up to 5 years) may fund workforce training and credentialing or construction/renovation of facilities; the federal share is up to 50 percent and grantees may use up to 10 percent of funds for administration. Authorizes $100 million total to carry out the program for fiscal years 2025–2031, requires coordination with existing workforce and education programs, sets program definitions and a non-supplanting policy, and directs HHS to evaluate grant outcomes and report to Congress within two years after the first grant period ends.