Public Policy

Learn about the laws that regulate and fund child care programs across the nation.

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The FY 2025-2027 CCDF Plan

Every three years, states and territories must develop a Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan and undergo a public hearing process in order to receive federal funding. Learn more about the FY 2025-2027 CCDF Plans, your state’s CCDF public hearing, and how to engage in this process with our resources.

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Child Care and ECE State Policy Dashboard

Child Care Aware of America has developed a tool to track child care and early childhood education (ECE) policies nationwide. This comprehensive, dynamic, and interactive dashboard allows ECE advocates to learn how states are building more equitable, accessible, and affordable child care systems.

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Final Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Rule

The 2024 Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Final Rule updates federal regulations to help lower families’ child care costs, improve provider payment practices, and increase families’ child care options. Learn more about the 2024 CCDF Final Rule with the resources inside.

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The Use of Waiver Authority Under the Child Care & Development Block Grant Act

The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG)—the law that governs the administration of federal child care assistance—provides states with the ability to seek temporary relief, or waivers, from statutory or regulatory provisions if there is an inability for the state to comply with the law, or in the event of extraordinary circumstances.

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Federal Sign-on and Letter Tracker

Click on the link below to view the federal coalition letters that CCAoA has signed on to and letters that CCAoA has sent directly to Congress.

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Federal Child Care Bills

Click the link below to view a spreadsheet that displays the federal child care bills CCAoA is currently tracking.

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American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act

Learn more about the ARP act and how CCAoA is taking action to ensure the rebuilding and improvement of the child care system.

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Transforming Child Care: Cross-Community Voices to Inform Change

This paper reflects information gained during five fall Roundtables with both newly-engaged and long-time child care stakeholders, as well as from discussions with our own membership on the roles they can fulfill in a re-imagined child care system.

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2020-2022 Public Policy Agenda

Our policy agenda provides the compass that guides our efforts and keeps us driving toward our mission.

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Child Care Access and Affordability

At CCAoA, we have a vision for the future of child care: Every family in the United States has access to a high-quality, affordable child care system. Learn how to take steps to supporting families.

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Maximizing the use of the CCDF

Maximizing the Use of the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)

This paper, cowritten with LISC, focuses on the core capabilities CCR&Rs and CDFIs need to stabilize and increase high-quality child care.

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Budgets and Appropriations

Explore ways CCAoA closely monitors the federal budget and appropriations process to ensure strong funding for federal early childhood programs.

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Paid Leave

Learn how CCAoA supports the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act and how you can take action.

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Leadership

Anne is a government relations and grassroots advocacy strategist, with experience motivating policy change at all levels of government.

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