Child Care Assistance: How Existing Federal Policy Helps Families Afford Child Care
By Alyssa Fortner and Shira Small
This brief provides an overview of the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), the primary federal funding source for child care assistance for families with low incomes. It examines the program’s history, funding structure, eligibility requirements, and participation trends, while highlighting persistent gaps in access for eligible families and declines in provider participation. The brief also explains how federal and state policies shape families’ ability to access affordable child care.