Federal Update: Congress Heads Home for August Recess
Congress has left Washington, D.C. for the annual August recess, when members of Congress return to their home states and districts to meet with constituents, visit local organizations, and hear directly from the people they represent.
Before departing, the House passed a short-term government funding bill that would keep federal agencies operating through December 4 while lawmakers continue negotiations on Fiscal Year 2027 spending. The House proposal includes only a $10 million increase for each the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Head Start—far below the level of investment needed to strengthen the nation’s child care system. The Senate is expected to consider its own funding approach when lawmakers return, making the coming months critical for child care advocacy.
The Administration also finalized a new public charge rule, effective September 18, 2026, that removes long-standing guidance about which public benefits may be considered in immigration decisions. While the rule does not automatically change eligibility for public benefits, it creates greater uncertainty for many immigrant families. Protecting Immigrant Families will release an updated toolkit once the final rule has been analyzed. NAFCC is monitoring implementation and will continue sharing trusted updates and resources as additional guidance becomes available.
August Advocacy is Action at NAFCC
August recess is one of the most important advocacy opportunities of the year. When members of Congress are home, they have more time to visit family child care programs, attend community events, and hear directly from educators about the policies affecting children, families, and small businesses.
That’s why NAFCC’s August Advocacy is Action Campaign focuses on connecting family child care educators with their elected officials. There is no substitute for seeing high-quality family child care in action. A visit to your program helps policymakers better understand the essential role family child care plays in supporting working families and strengthening local communities.
This week, Daphne Alsiyao, NAFCC’s Policy Strategist, attended a congressional briefing with Democratic members of the House Ways and Means Committee, to encourage members of Congress to use the August recess to visit family child care programs in their communities and hear directly from educators about the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of family child care.
Take Action This August
You don’t have to travel to Washington to influence federal policy—your voice is most powerful at home.
This month, we encourage every family child care educator to:
- Invite your Representative or Senators to visit your program. Resources to support you can be found on NAFCC’s August Advocacy is Action webpage.
- Share your story about how federal child care policies affect your program, the families you serve, and your community.
- Send a letter or email to your members of Congress through NAFCC’s Action Center.
- Explore NAFCC’s advocacy resources for templates, fact sheets, and guidance to help you advocate with confidence
Every story shared, every meeting held, and every program visit helps ensure family child care is represented where decisions are made. Thank you for helping shape policies that recognize, support, and strengthen family child care.
Complete the Annual Survey
Another way to make your voice heard is by completing the NAFCC Annual Survey. And an added bonus is that you will have a chance to win $150! Winners will be selected and announced every week through August 28. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete, and your responses play a critical role in shaping the NAFCC Annual Report. More importantly, your insights help us connect the data with the real stories, experiences, and challenges of family child care educators and business owners across the country.
New Resources from Federal Partners
- Medicaid & the Early Childhood Workforce – An updated fact sheet from the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, CLASP, NAEYC, and NAFCC highlights the critical role Medicaid plays for early childhood educators, shares new 2024 state data, and explains how recent federal policy changes could affect health coverage.
- Medicaid Work Requirements & Family Child Care – A new policy brief examines how upcoming Medicaid work requirements may affect home-based child care educators and outlines steps states can take to reduce administrative burdens and help eligible educators maintain health coverage.
- Understanding the Child Care Fraud Narrative – A collection of new resources from federal partners explains why misleading claims about widespread child care fraud undermine educators, families, and public investment, while offering facts and messaging to support accurate conversations about program integrity.
NAFCC’s Inaugural Policy Council
In case you missed it, we’re excited to announce the members of NAFCC’s Inaugural Policy Council. Congratulations to this outstanding group of family child care educators and advocates who have been selected to help shape the future of family child care. We look forward to working alongside you. Thank you for stepping up to be in the room where it happens!
ANITA VICINI
California
KENIA REINOSO
Maryland
SHEMIK SELLARS
Virginia
ASIM YOUSAFZAI
Maryland
KIM CHASE
Nebraska
STACEY CARPENTER
Colorado
BARBARA GRANT BONETA
Texas
MARY CURRY
Washington
TASHEBA BERRY
Florida
BROOK FLETCHER
North Carolina
MICHELLE LLOYD
Maryland
TESSIE RAGAN
California
CARA DOLICK
Illinois
REBECCA GRASTY
California
TIERIA COLE
North Carolina
EARLETTA HEADLEY
Oklahoma
ROBYN KELTON
Illinois
TIFFANY JONES
Maryland
GABY PAULINO-PENA
New York
SHAMARIA MOSLEY
Mississippi
VALORIE WILKERSON
Florida
JAMEKA PARKER
Ohio
JERLETHA MCDONALD
Texas
VICTORIA PODLIPNI
Illinois
SUPPORTED BY
ERICA PHILLIPS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MARY MUHS, ED.D. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER AT LARGE
EBONI DELANEY, DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND MOVEMENT BUILDING
DAPHNE ALSIYAO, NAFCC POLICY STRATEGIST
LETTY MEDEROS, NAFCC POLICY CONSULTANT
