If Congress level funds the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) for fiscal year ‘26, more families could lose access to child care. These grants provide crucial child care subsidies for parents who are in school or working. 

CCDBG was level funded last year. And this year, the House Committee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies has proposed a second year of level funding. 

This is a significant retreat: as the First Five Years Fund explains, “Over the past fifteen years, federal early learning programs have seen steady, significant progress through increased, bipartisan investments from both Congress and the White House.”

The impact of level funding, according to CLASP, the Center for Law and Social Policy, would “mean approximately 24,000 fewer children will have access to child care through CCDBG in FY26. The compounded impact of two years of stagnant funding would mean nearly 50,000 fewer children have access to child care assistance.”

CLASP analyzes the impact on states in this fact sheet. In Massachusetts, in FY’25, 241 children lost access to child care. Level funding in FY’26 would mean that another 238 children would lose access. 

Nationally, more than 24,000 children lost care in FY’25, and with level funding another more than 23,000 would. 

Instead of cuts, however, Congress could make sound investments that support families. But members of Congress need to hear from you. 

As we heard on last week’s 9:30 Call, the best way to advocate for federal child care funding is for parents and providers to share their story with elected officials, in this case with members of Congress. If you are an early educator or a parent who utilizes a child care subsidy, please tell your story! Visit our Advocacy HQ for ideas and please email us if you would like support (info@strategiesforchildren.org).