Child Care and Development Block Grant

 

The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is the primary federal funding source to help certain low-income families access child care and to improve the quality of child care for all children. As a block grant, CCDF gives funding to States, Territories, and Tribes to provide child care subsidies primarily through vouchers or certificates to low-income families. In addition, CCDF funds are used to improve the quality of child care for both subsidized and unsubsidized children. CCDF consists of both Discretionary funding authorized by the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act and Mandatory and Matching funding under the Social Security Act. The CCDBG was created by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-508) and is subject to annual appropriations. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 (P.L. 104-193) consolidated funding for child care under the Social Security Act, where CCDF mandatory and matching funding is authorized, and made such funding generally subject to the requirements of the CCDBG Act. The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-186) reauthorized the discretionary portion of CCDF through FY 2020 and made significant changes to improve the health, safety, and quality of child care and provide more continuous child care assistance to low-income children and families. In addition to the block grants to States, Territories and Tribes, a small portion of the CCDF is used by the Office of Child Care to provide technical assistance to lead agencies on administering the program. A small portion of CCDF is also used for child care research, demonstration and evaluation activities. The Discretionary portion of the CCDF funds provides about $7.9 billion in federal funding per year for child care. Additional funding is provided by state matching and maintenance of effort funds, as well as funds transferred from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Requirements for competitive grants including research grants vary and can be found in the Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs). There was an increase in mandatory and matching funding for CCDF, which is a permanent annual appropriation and is detailed in Assistance Listing 93.596.

Active 93.575 Administration For Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services A - Formula Grants; B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 In FY 2016, 343 Discretionary grants will be awarded to 50 States , District of Columbia, five Territories, 260 Tribes and other grantees (research, TA,and hotline). Fiscal Year 2016: 358 Discretionary grants were awarded to 50 States , District of Columbia, five Territories , 260 Tribes and other grantees (research, TA, and hotline).
Fiscal Year 2017 In FY 2017, 328 Discretionary grants were awarded to 50 States, District of Columbia, five Territories, 260 Tribes and other grantees (research and TA ).
Fiscal Year 2018 Fiscal Year 2018: 329 Discretionary grants will be awarded to 50 States, District of Columbia, five Territories, 260 Tribes and other grantees (research and TA).
Fiscal Year 2019 Discretionary grants were awarded to 50 States, District of Columbia, five Territories, 260 Tribal grantees, and other grantees (TA and research).
Fiscal Year 2020 Discretionary grants were awarded to 50 States, District of Columbia, five Territories, 265 Tribal grantees, and other grantees (TA and research). CARES Act supplemental grants were awarded to 50 States, District of Columbia, five Territories, and 265 Tribal grantees.
Fiscal Year 2021 Discretionary grants were awarded to 50 States, District of Columbia, five Territories, 265 Tribal lead agencies, and other grantees (TA and research). CRRSA Act supplemental grants were awarded to 50 States, District of Columbia, five Territories, and 265 Tribal grantees and other grantees (TA and research). ARP Act Discretionary supplemental grants and ARP Act Stabilization grants were awarded to 50 States, District of Columbia, five Territories, and 265 Tribal lead agencies.
Fiscal Year 2022 Awards were made to 50 States, District of Columbia, five Territories, 263 Tribal grantees, and other recipients (TA and research).
Fiscal Year 2023 Awards were made to 50 States, District of Columbia, five Territories, 265 Tribal grantees, and other recipients (TA and research).
Fiscal Year 2024 Awards will be made to 50 States, District of Columbia, five Territories, 265 Tribal grantees, and other recipients (TA and research). Child Care and Development Block Grant Act, as amended, 42 U.S. Code 9857
American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2 Eligibility for block grants: All 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Federally recognized Tribal Governments and consortia. Eligibility for technical assistance, research, demonstration, and evaluation projects: Eligibility requirements can be found in the NOFOs or other solicitations. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from competitive review and funding under this funding opportunity. Children under age 13 (or, at the option of the Lead Agency, up to age 19, if physically or mentally incapable of self-care or under court supervision), who (1) reside with a family whose income does not exceed 85% of the State median income for a family of the same size, and (2) who reside with a parent (or parents) who is working or attending job training or educational program, or who are in need of, or are receiving, protective services are eligible. A Lead Agency shall re-determine a child's eligibility for child care services no sooner than 12 months following the initial determination or most recent re-determination. Once determined eligible, children are expected to receive a minimum of 12 months of child care services, unless family income rises above 85% State median income or, at Lead Agency option, the family experiences a non-temporary cessation of work, education, or training. Lead Agencies must operate under a CCDF plan approved by the Administration for Children and Families, and must provide assurances that the recipient will comply with the requirements of the CCDBG Act and all applicable Federal law(s). Preapplication coordination is required. Each recipient must designate a Lead Agency to which awards are made and that is accountable for the use of the Discretionary Funds provided, the duties of which shall include developing a CCDF plan. In conjunction with the development of the CCDF plan, the Lead Agency must hold at least one public hearing no earlier than nine months before the CCDF plan becomes effective and after at least 20 days of statewide public notice, to provide the public an opportunity to comment on the provision of child care services under the plan. In advance of the hearing, the Lead Agency must make the content of the plan available to the public. The Lead Agency must also coordinate the provision of services under the program with other Federal, State, and local child care and early childhood development programs. Also, the Lead Agency must consult with appropriate representatives of local governments. Tribal Lead Agencies submitting applications for construction must submit an environmental impact assessment. See most recent guidance regarding submission of state plans on OCC’s website at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/occ. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. A State, Territory, or Tribal Lead Agency desiring to receive a block grant allotment for a fiscal year is required to submit a three-year CCDF plan to the Administration for Children and Families, as well as, financial and other information necessary for the awards process. Each CCDF plan must contain certifications and assurances by the Lead Agency that it will comply with the requirements of the CCDBG Act. The plan must also include: the designation of a Lead Agency; the provision of assurances regarding policies and procedures as stated in Section 658E(c)(2) of the CCDBG; an outline of the intended use of block grant funds in compliance with Section 658E(c)(3) of the CCDBG; the provision of certification regarding payment rates as stated in Section 658E(c)(4) of the CCDBG; and the establishment of a sliding fee scale. Additional requirements are specified by 45 CFR Parts 98 and 99. Technical assistance, research, demonstration, and evaluation projects may be funded through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts. For projects funded through discretionary grants, applicants may find and apply to NOFOs on https://www.grants.gov. Block grants to States, Territories and Tribes are awarded after the receipt and approval of the CCDF plan by the Administration for Children and Families. Technical assistance, research, demonstration, and evaluation projects may be funded through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts. For projects funded through discretionary awards, each application will be screened to determine whether it meets any of the disqualifying factors: missing the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, or exceeding the Award Ceiling. Disqualified applications are considered to be "non-responsive" and are excluded from the competitive review process. Applications competing for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated by objective review panels using only the criteria described in the NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. Results of the competitive objective review are taken into consideration by ACF in the selection of projects for funding; however, objective review scores and rankings are not binding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. In addition, ACF reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g. ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF will complete a review of risk posed by applicants as described in 45 CFR 75.205. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines The Administration for Children and Families will review the CCDF plans for approval and will act on the plans within 90 days. Guidelines for appealing the disapproval of CCDF plans are specified in regulations (45 CFR Part 99). For discretionary awards, there is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. For existing recipients, appeals in regards to disputes may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A. CCDF plans for block grant funding must be submitted every three years by States, Territories, and Tribes. Discretionary technical assistance, research, demonstration, and evaluation projects may be funded through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts. For projects funded through discretionary awards, non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with grant terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government. Technical assistance, research, demonstration, and evaluation projects may be funded through grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts. The criteria for selecting proposals will be published in the NOFO(s) or other solicitations. Congress directs that funds appropriated for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG or Discretionary Funds) must be used to supplement, not supplant, State general revenue funds for child care assistance for low-income families. Lead Agencies must use Discretionary Funds for child care services on a sliding fee scale basis and for quality improvement activities. In addition to the block grants awarded to States, Territories and Tribes, a portion of the Discretionary Funds is designated for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to carry-out research, demonstration, and evaluation projects, and provide technical assistance through the use of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or interagency agreements. Not more than 5% of the aggregate amount of CCDF Funds expended by the State (15% for Tribes or tribal organizations) may be expended for administrative costs incurred by the State to carry-out all of its functions and duties. The term "administrative costs" does not include the costs of providing direct services. Performance Reports: Performance monitoring for block grant funding is in accordance with 45 CFR 98.90. For discretionary awards, performance progress reports are required using the SF-PPR ACF Performance Progress Report. The frequency of reporting will be listed in the NOFO and in the award terms and conditions. For more information, see: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/manage-grant/reporting. 45 CFR Part 75 Subpart F applies to this program. State, Territory, and Tribal Lead Agencies and subrecipients must retain all CCDF records for three years from the day the Lead Agency or subrecipient submits the Financial Reports as required by the regulations at 45 CFR 98.90. For discretionary technical assistance, research, demonstration, and evaluation projects, all financial records are to be maintained in accordance with 45 CFR 75.361-365. The Tribal Lead Agency must retain all records pertinent to the construction or renovation of a facility for a period equal to the period of the recipient's use of the facility plus 3 years (after final disposition), or for 3 years after the Tribe makes final payment and all pending matters (including any ongoing audits, claims, or litigation) are completed or closed, whichever is later. Statutory Formula: Title 42 Chapter n/a Part n/a Subpart 9858m Public Law n/a Regulation: 45 CFR 98.61

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Awards are made to Lead Agencies with approved CCDF plans. Recipients must obligate all Discretionary Funds in the fiscal year in which they are granted or in the succeeding fiscal year. Those funds must be liquidated no later the end of the third fiscal year. Requirements for competitive grant awards including technical assistance, research, demonstration and evaluation awards vary and can be found in the NOFO. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Quarterly. For a list of Office of Child Care Regional Program Managers: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/occ/contact-information/office-child-care-regional-program-managers. Julie Poppe
Office of Child Care,
Administration for Children and Families,
Department of Health and Human Services
Washington, DC 20201 US
Julie.Poppe@acf.hhs.gov
Phone: 202-401-4795 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/occ 75-1515-0-1-609 (Formula Grants) FY 22$6,102,957,703.00; FY 23 est $7,899,566,195.00; FY 24 est $7,899,566,195.00; FY 21$5,818,080,468.00; FY 20$5,766,240,000.00; FY 19$5,203,590,560.00; FY 18$5,165,123,399.00; FY 17$2,856,000,000.00; FY 16$2,761,000,000.00; - (Project Grants) FY 22$50,276,900.00; FY 23 est $112,953,390.00; FY 24 est $112,953,390.00; FY 21$59,830,864.00; FY 20$59,760,000.00; FY 19$54,260,000.00; - (Formula Grants) FY 22$0.00; FY 23 est $0.00; FY 24 est $0.00; FY 21$38,965,000,000.00; FY 20$0.00; - Supplemental with the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act Discretionary and Stabilization Grants For the States, including DC and Puerto Rico, the range of awards in FY 2022 is: $6,526,815 to $682,380,318; the average award is $108,457,247. For the 263 Tribal lead agencies, the range of awards in FY 2022 is: $53,753 to $49,055,171; the average award is $1,393,636. For the four Territories, the range of awards in FY 2022 is $5,731,021 to $11,310,070; the average award is $7,706,663. These figures are not inclusive of funds received through Assistance Listing 93.596. These funds are subject to the Child Care and Development Fund regulations at 45 CFR Parts 98 and 99. Additional policy guidance can be found at: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/occ/resource-library. Not applicable.