Bill > HR581

This bill establishes a competitive grant program to help states and tribal entities expand child care workforce and facilities, particularly in "child care deserts" (areas with significantly fewer child care slots than children under age 5). The bill authorizes $100 million in funding from fiscal years 2025 through 2031 and provides two types of grants: workforce grants and facility grants. Workforce grants will help individuals obtain education and credentials in child care and early childhood education, with a focus on outreach to people without existing degrees and supporting career pathways. Facility grants will support the construction, expansion, or renovation of child care facilities, including licensed family child care homes. The federal government will cover 50% of project costs, and grantees can provide the remaining match through cash, in-kind contributions, or donations. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will oversee the program, conduct evaluations of grant outcomes, and submit a report to Congress within two years of the first grants being awarded. The bill emphasizes supplementing, not replacing, existing workforce and education funding sources, and aims to increase the availability, affordability, and quality of child care, especially during nontraditional hours.

Education

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/581/all-info