Building Child Care for a Better Future Act Reintroduced

As COVID-19 Pandemic relief funding is coming to an end, the child care sector is facing a severe funding cliff. On Thursday June 15, 2023, Senators Wyden (D-OR) and Warren (D-MA) reintroduced the Building Child Care for a Better Future Act, which provides new, permanent funding so that states, tribes, and territories have the critical resources they need to develop a child care infrastructure that better serves all families. It expands mandatory child care funding by increasing annual funding for the Child Care Entitlement to States (CCES) to $10 billion per year (a $6.45 billion increase per year). It also increases the amount of CCES funds reserved for Indian tribes and tribal organizations to 5% of funds and for territories to 4% of funds. The legislation also appropriates $5 billion to the CCES annually to provide new grants to improve child care workforce, supply, quality, and access in areas of particular need.

The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT). CWLA has endorsed this bill.