Child Care

‘Who’s going to work there?’: Lawmakers grapple with labor shortages

Affordable housing, reliable child care and available mental health services could be the key for state and local governments desperate to fill vacant job positions in their communities. Lawmakers are finding ways to meet workers' needs through legislation and funding.

In a hostile housing landscape, solutions emerge to support home-based child care providers

From the establishment of “child care-friendly landlords” to the construction of low-cost homes earmarked specifically for home-based providers, projects are underway to offer a salve to providers struggling to find and afford adequate housing.

Child care costs would fall for low-income families under new rule in government program

The Biden administration plans to strengthen the Child Care & Development Block Grant with easier access and copayment caps for families, along with more payment stability for child care providers.

Amid looming ‘child care cliff,’ states scramble to bolster programs

Billions in federal subsidies for child care providers are set to run out in September, causing as many as 3.2 million children nationwide to lose their daycare spots. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.

How One State Is Tackling Child Care Challenges

Like much of the country, Michigan is navigating a shortage of child care providers. But federal funds, paired with efficient coordination between state agencies, has helped support hundreds of new providers in just one year.

New Executive Order Could Expand Access to Child Care and Long-Term Care

The order, signed Tuesday, comes after the president was unable to get through Congress a $400 billion package in 2021 that would have transformed the nation’s caregiving infrastructure. 

States Seek to Ease Child Care Crunch

The efforts come as federal pandemic aid is set to end.

Home-Based Care: Fixing the Childcare Drought in Rural America

Some rural counties are trying an approach to tackle childcare shortages. A new program supports home-based childcare providers with resources, education, and grants.

Child Care is Broken. Here’s How Governments are Trying to Fix it

From helping fund day care centers, to providing subsidies to care workers and families, states and localities are spending millions on what has become a crisis for the nation and its workforce.