CLASP

This brief examines CCDF's history, funding structure, eligibility requirements, and participation trends, while highlighting persistent gaps in access for eligible families and declines in provider participation.

This report, drafted by CLASP, reviews the context for how the workgroup was initiated, outlines the feedback that was elicited in the workgroup, offers considerations and insights from CLASP based on the workgroup’s feedback, and documents the work materials from the group.  

CLASP, the Center for American Progress, the National Women's Law Center, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children submitted a sign-on letter opposing the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) proposed Head Start rule titled, "Restoring Flexibility to Support Head Start…

Increasing the total discretionary funding to $17.66 billion would expand subsidy access to more than 870,000 additional children. This added funding would be crucial to better reach and support families with low incomes who have never been able to fully utilize the program as the…

CLASP and other national partners organized a sign-on letter and submitted comments on the NPRM to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on February 4, 2026.

By Shira Small, Rachel Wilensky, and Stephanie Schmit Since taking office on January 20, the Trump Administration has repeatedly undermined families’ access to child care and early education—disproportionately harming families with low incomes and families of color—by forcing Head Start closures; sowing fear and uncertainty…

High maternal mortality rates and rising mental health stressors across the country underscore the need for policies, research, and programming that support maternal mental health and evaluate existing services, particularly for communities of color who face disproportionate barriers to accessing care.

Why is access to child care important for families?

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

This project aims to provide a deeper understanding of the impact that federal COVID child care relief funds have already had across four states: Louisiana, Michigan, New York, and Virginia.