CLASP

By Rachel Wilensky and Stephanie Schmit On March 15, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 into law. The law decreased nondefense spending by $13 billion but kept spending levels the same as fiscal year (FY) 2024 for many…

By Alyssa Fortner Child care enables parents and caregivers to participate in the workforce, attend school and training programs, and take care of other responsibilities while their children are cared for in safe and stable early education programs. Despite its value, child care has historically…

Federal budget proposals currently under consideration threaten resources available for children and families....

By cutting off agency grant and loan programs without any notice, the Trump Administration is harming families, children, workers, and communities across the country—and imperiling our nation’s economy.

CLASP comments on the proposed changes to the ACF-801: Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Quarterly Case-Level Report and urges the Office of Child Care in the Administration for Children and Families to provide more publicly available CCDF data. >> Read the comment here.

CLASP comments on the proposed changes to the ACF-800: Child Care and Development Annual Aggregate Report and urges the Office of Child Care in the Administration for Children and Families to provide more publicly available CCDF data. >> Read the comments here.

This brief and fact sheet series offer states ways to improve child care access within the confines of the current system.

CLASP supports HHS's decision to issue a new final rule that increases wages for the Head Start workforce, improves its mental health supports, and enhances services to better meet the needs of children and families across the country.

Federal investments of over $50 billion, including $39 billion from ARPA, helped sustain child care providers during COVID-19. These funds improved access, affordability, and provider support, but are set to expire on September 30, 2024.

Accessible, affordable, high-quality child care and early education are vital for the economic well-being of families, communities, and the nation. However, families, especially those of color with low incomes, face significant challenges in accessing these services due to systemic racial and economic barriers.