Washington, D.C. — Today, the Center for American Progress released a new 50-state analysis looking at how eligibility for child care subsidies would change under the Build Back Better Act as compared with current law. The new analysis underscores the inadequacies of the system preceding the pandemic—with just 1 in 9 children under age 6 who are eligible for subsidized child care through the Child Care Development Block Grant receiving support—and how the Build Back Better Act could greatly expand the number of families eligible for child care assistance.
The analysis finds that more than 93 percent of young children would be eligible for subsidies under the Build Back Better Act. Specifically, 13 million children nationally would be eligible for child care assistance, a sixteenfold increase over 2019 levels. Some states would be able to extend financial assistance for child care to more than 25 times as many children as are currently eligible.
“This analysis shows that the Build Back Better Act would greatly expand the number of families eligible for financial help to pay for child care in every corner of this country. Build Back Better will equitably expand access to early education for millions of children and help parents reenter the workforce so that they can better provide for their families, both of which will promote stronger, more inclusive economic growth. It’s critical that the Senate address the current system’s chronic underfunding by passing the Build Back Better Act,” said Rasheed Malik, director of Early Childhood Policy at CAP and author of the column.
Please click here to read: “The Build Back Better Act Substantially Expands Child Care Assistance” by Rasheed Malik
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Colin Seeberger at [email protected] or 202-741-6292.