This bill establishes the Child Care and Development Innovation Fund to address the critical need for child care services for parents working nontraditional hours , defined as work primarily before 9 a.m., after 5 p.m., or on weekends. The primary purpose is to improve child care access for these families, enabling parents to maintain workforce attachment, pursue career advancements, and build savings. The legislation mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a pilot program within 90 days of enactment, awarding competitive grants for a five-year period. These grants, ranging from $25,000 to $500,000, are available to eligible entities, including child care providers or partnerships involving providers and other community organizations. Grant funds can be utilized for various activities, such as expanding capacity for existing child care programs, establishing new programs specifically for nontraditional hours, or creating onsite child care at workplaces. Funds may also support planning activities, facility improvements, curriculum development, and assisting providers in meeting health and safety standards or achieving licensure. Recipients are required to provide a 25 percent non-Federal match for the grant funds. The Secretary must submit biennial reports to Congress detailing the number of children served, parents' employment status, and the overall impact on child care availability. The bill authorizes $10,000,000 for the program for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
This bill establishes the Child Care and Development Innovation Fund to address the critical need for child care services for parents working nontraditional hours , defined as work primarily before 9 a.m., after 5 p.m., or on weekends. The primary purpose is to improve child care access for these families, enabling parents to maintain workforce attachment, pursue career advancements, and build savings. The legislation mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a pilot program within 90 days of enactment, awarding competitive grants for a five-year period. These grants, ranging from $25,000 to $500,000, are available to eligible entities, including child care providers or partnerships involving providers and other community organizations. Grant funds can be utilized for various activities, such as expanding capacity for existing child care programs, establishing new programs specifically for nontraditional hours, or creating onsite child care at workplaces. Funds may also support planning activities, facility improvements, curriculum development, and assisting providers in meeting health and safety standards or achieving licensure. Recipients are required to provide a 25 percent non-Federal match for the grant funds. The Secretary must submit biennial reports to Congress detailing the number of children served, parents' employment status, and the overall impact on child care availability. The bill authorizes $10,000,000 for the program for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.