Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act of 2025

This bill establishes a competitive grant program for States and Tribal entities to expand the child care workforce and facilities, specifically targeting child care deserts , which are areas with a high child-to-slot ratio or a low supply of quality, affordable child care. The legislation outlines two main grant types: child care workforce grants and child care facility grants . Workforce grants support projects that develop and expand the child care workforce, focusing on increasing provider numbers, improving retention and compensation, and helping individuals attain stackable and portable credentials, with an emphasis on outreach to those without postsecondary degrees. Facility grants fund the construction, expansion, or renovation of child care facilities, including licensed family child care homes. Both grant types aim to increase the availability and affordability of child care, including during nontraditional hours, within identified child care deserts, requiring detailed applications outlining how goals will be achieved and coordinated with existing workforce development programs. The federal share for these projects is 50 percent, with recipients able to use up to 10 percent for administrative costs. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will evaluate the grants' impact on credential attainment, provider retention, facility expansion, and the reduction of child care deserts, reporting findings to Congress. A total of $100,000,000 is authorized for appropriations from fiscal years 2025 through 2031 to carry out the Act's provisions.