Facts In Action

With the deadline for TANF and CCDBG reauthorization drawing near (see: factsinaction/pageone/p1apr02.htm), several members of congress have introduced federal legislation directly or indirectly related to early care and education funding. These include:

• The Access to High Quality Child Care Act (S.2117), introduced by Senators Dodd (D-CT) and Snow (R-ME), a comprehensive bill for the reauthorization of the CCDBG for the next five years. The bill includes many of the child care provisions outlined in the Act to Leave No Child Behind, including an increase in the funds set aside for quality activities and a requirement that states establish child care training standards related to child development. The bill also has several provisions designed to improve families' access to child care. The bill does not yet have funding amounts attached to it.

• The Child Development and Family Employment Act of 2002 (H.R. 3524), introduced by Representative Miller (D-CA), the House's proposal for the reauthorization of the CCDBG. The bill authorizes an $18.5 billion increase in mandatory funding for CCDBG over five years, as well as a $20 billion increase in discretionary funds. The House bill also sets aside funding for quality activities, requires training standards for providers, and has provisions for improving families' access to child care.

• The Children First Act of 2002 (S.2070), introduced by Senators Bingaman (D-NM) and Kerry (D-MA), which would increase funding to the CCDBG by $11.25 billion over five years and increase the quality set-aside from 4% to 12%. In addition, the bill would exclude any child care assistance from the five-year time limit for welfare.

For more information:
on these three bills, or for information about other legislation related to early care and education, contact The Children's Defense Fund at (202) 662-3671 or by email at CDFchildcare@childrensdefense.org, or look online at www.childrensdefense.org.

Facts in Action, April, 2002