Throughout the pandemic, USDA has been issuing flexibilities for operating the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) through what they call COVID-19 Nationwide Waivers. These flexibilities are intended to ensure children in CACFP-participating programs are still able to access nutritious meals during these difficult times. On April 20, 2021, USDA issued another set of…
Let’s get ready for Child Nutrition Act Reauthorization! This reauthorization process gives us all an opportunity to educate Congress on what would make the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) even better. The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee and the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee will take the lead on this work. Senators and…
On April 22, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03) introduced the Child Care for Working Families Act, comprehensive legislation that addresses the child care crisis by increasing access for families to afford high-quality child care. The bill specifically looks to cap child care costs at 7% income, increase assistance for more families…
On Wednesday, April 21, the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee is hosting a hearing called “In Their Own Words: Paid Leave, Child Care, and an Economy that Failed Women.” The hearing will feature testimony from five mothers – and one of them, Rebecca, is a family child care educator in New York. They will…
The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) has partnered with Wonderschool, an innovative online platform that connects families to a diverse set of child care options and supports the providers, to recognize family child care providers who both use the platform and who are accredited through NAFCC with a custom badge on their online…
Over 1,900 people, from nearly every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, as well as, tribes registered to join us on Saturday, February 27 for a national webinar for family child care educators called “Understanding Federal Funding: What’s in it for Family Child Care?” View the recording in English. View the recording featuring the…
On March 11, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law. The American Rescue Plan includes the $39 billion advocates asked for together, to stabilize child care. The $39 billion invests in two ways: $15 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and $24 billion for a child care stabilization fund. This is…
Many family child care providers are struggling during this pandemic. The permanent impact may not be currently clear, but it is obvious that providers need immediate federal funding put in place to stabilize their programs.
Congressional leaders reached an agreement on a COVID-19 relief package over the weekend, that includes a $10 billion investment in child care. We are reviewing every detail and we know the details are crucial for family child care. The House and Senate are expected to vote on and approve this legislation. We are glad that…