Priorities Report: 2020

The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is the primary federal funding source dedicated to providing child care assistance to families with low-incomes.  As a block grant, CCDF gives funding to states, territories, and tribes to provide child care subsidies through vouchers or certificates to families with low incomes, and grants and contracts with providers in some states.  CCDF provides access to child care services for working families with low incomes, so parents can work, attend school, or enroll in training.  Additionally, CCDF promotes the healthy development of children by improving the quality of early learning and school-age experiences for both subsidized and unsubsidized children.  Within the federal regulations, lead agencies administering CCDF decide how to administer the CCDF subsidy programs.  States determine payment rates for child care providers, copayment amounts for families, specific eligibility requirements, and have some flexibilities on how to prioritize CCDF services.