New Resource Tracks How States Are Spending CARES Act Child Care Funds
Washington, DC – A new resource published by the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Early Childhood Initiative tracks how states are spending the $3.5 billion in supplemental Child Care and Development Block Grant funds provided in the CARES Act.
The availability of child care is a major concern as some states take steps toward reopening. While many states are using CARES Act funds to provide child care assistance to frontline workers, a recent survey conducted by Morning Consult for BPC found that 60% of parents nationwide have seen their usual child care provider close.
The child care market is not built to sustain long-term closures, and the major concern is that many programs forced to close temporarily may be financially unable to reopen. Many states are therefore using the CCDBG funds in the CARES Act to provide a limited amount of support to some child care programs to keep the system afloat. But it is clear this alone is not a durable solution.
BPC’s new tracking project relies on reports directly from states and is accessible through an easy-to-use clickable map. BPC experts have thus far provided detailed analysis on the plans of more than 40 states and will continue updating as state plans evolve.