Facts In Action

In May, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4737, which reauthorizes Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) and the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). This bill imposes harsh new work requirements for TANF recipients by increasing work requirements to 40 hours a week and increasing the percentage of participants working, but adds only $1 billion in mandatory funds over five years for the CCDF.

As we go to press, the Senate Finance Committee plans to take up the reauthorization of TANF and CCDF funding levels, while the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee takes up the substance of these programs. One of the bills to be debated is the 2002 ACCESS Act (S. 2117) which reauthorizes all programs found in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). The bill, introduced by Senator Dodd (D-CT), also proposes to strengthen child care quality, reimbursement rates, child care workforce and professional development, and parental access. The full Senate is expected to debate reauthorization bills in July. Once the Senate approves its version of a complete bill, Senate and House members from the key committees will meet to work out a compromise.

In addition to TANF/CCDF reauthorization, the Senate will also take up the Early Care and Education Act (S. 2566), a bill introduced by Senator Kennedy (D-MA), which authorizes $1 billion for a new block grant to states to improve the quality and availability of early learning opportunities and activities for young children, to develop and retain a well-educated and trained early childhood workforce, and to promote school-readiness.

For more information:
on these 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 online at www.childrensdefense.org.

Facts in Action, June 2002