How does the law help build a supply of high quality providers caring for all children?

The law requires that States develop strategies for increasing supply and quality of child care services for children in underserved areas, infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, and children in non-traditional hour care, which may include use of grants/contracts and alternative payment rates.  ACF encourages States to examine what and where the most pressing needs are, including identifying underserved populations.  Existing needs assessments and population data collected by State Advisory Councils, Head Start State Collaboration Offices, child care resource and referral agencies, or Head Start and Early Head Start grantees may help States and Territories make a determination of which needs are most pressing and how best to target state and CCDF funds to build the supply of quality care for particular populations.

(Reference: Section 658E(c)(2)(M) and 658E(c)(2)(Q))