Trump administration weighs redirecting child-care aid to stay-at-home parents
A still-unreleased plan could redirect some federal child-care aid to certain stay-at-home parents, raising legal, funding and eligibility questions.
child care
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Head Start proposal would shift preschool rules toward states
HHS wants to replace detailed Head Start standards with a streamlined rule, but no changes are immediate and public comments are due October 6.
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Child care aid waitlists leave families waiting across much of U.S.
An AP analysis found child care assistance waitlists in 23 states and the District of Columbia, while other states turned away applicants.
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HHS proposes looser Head Start rules and a 5% cost cap
HHS would replace most Head Start rules, shift more decisions to states and cut the regulatory cost cap to 5%. Current standards remain in effect for now.
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Minnesota care providers face weekend NETStudy outage and new background-check deadlines
NETStudy 2.0 will be offline from Friday evening, Aug. 28, through Monday morning, Aug. 31. Separate deadlines affect legacy studies, child-care workers and provider board members.
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Thrive Iowa expands to 20 counties, connecting families with existing services
Thrive Iowa is operating in 20 Iowa counties, giving eligible parents, caretakers and pregnant individuals a coordinated path to existing help with housing, food, child care and other needs.
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2026 employer child-care credit expands workplace-care incentives
The IRS has expanded the employer child-care credit, but families benefit only if businesses offer care, subsidies or referral services.
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Census releases 2025 data on U.S. household finances
The Census Bureau’s 2025 Survey of Income and Program Participation adds updated national data on family finances, caregiving, education, health insurance, child care and food security.
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Bloomsburg YMCA receives $1 million state grant for child-care facility expansion
The Bloomsburg Area YMCA Childcare Center was awarded $1 million through Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for renovation, expansion, new classrooms and facility upgrades.
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Trump administration proposes eliminating federal Head Start regulations
The proposal would shift more oversight of Head Start programs from federal standards to state and local child-care licensing rules.
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Census study finds child-care disruptions cost affected households an average 65.8 workdays
A U.S. Census Bureau working paper finds that child-care costs and access problems affected household finances and work decisions in 2024.
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Census releases new national data on household finances, child care and family well-being
The Census Bureau released 2025 Survey of Income and Program Participation data on July 15, followed by new Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey tables on July 23.
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Easton receives $5.5 million in state awards for mixed-use project and community center
Pennsylvania awarded $500,000 to the Foundry at Easton and $5 million to the planned Greater Community Empowerment Center as part of a statewide capital investment announced July 16.
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New federal data show child care and multigenerational caregiving remain major household pressures
Census and Federal Reserve analyses released in 2026 document the costs of paid child care and the growing prevalence of adults living with both a parent and an adult child.
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D.C. Council approves nearly $22 billion budget, reverses proposed housing and child-care cuts
The fiscal 2027 plan restores many cuts proposed by Mayor Muriel Bowser, uses one-time funds and changes how the District applies federal tax changes.
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Maine’s July 29 laws are in effect. Here’s what residents should know
New Maine laws provide eligible residents with $300 payments, expand tax relief and make community college free permanently, while housing, child-care, school, mobile-home and workplace changes move into implementation.
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Federal child-care oversight shifts toward verified attendance
A nationwide HHS review is examining state child-care enrollment, attendance and billing controls as a new rule gives states more payment flexibility.
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How the New Federal Child-Care Rule Could Affect Families and Providers
The federal child-care rule restores state flexibility on copayments, provider payments and attendance policies. Families should watch for state-level changes.
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Trump administration plans broad overhaul of Head Start rules
A planned Head Start overhaul could shift authority to states and local programs, but current federal standards remain in effect until formal rulemaking is complete.
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GAO Finds Military Child-Care Staffing Shortages Keep Families Waiting
A GAO review says military child-care staffing problems contribute to long waitlists, while unclear provider notices may disrupt fee-assisted community care.
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Kansas’ new early-childhood office begins work as programs and funding shift
Kansas’ Office of Early Childhood opened July 1, moving more than 20 programs and related resources into a new structure while DCF continues child-care subsidy eligibility determinations and payments.
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North Carolina Audit Finds Child-Care Inspections Too Predictable
A July state audit found that required child-care visits were completed but often followed repeat timing patterns. It also flagged older star ratings and delays in parent notifications, while DHHS disputes parts of the assessment.