Child Care Workforce Act

Summary#

This bill creates a pilot program in the Department of Health and Human Services to give competitive grants to States, Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations. Grants must be used to supplement the wages of eligible child care workers. The bill defines who is an eligible child care worker and lists factors the Secretary will consider when selecting grant recipients. Applicants must describe how they will target areas of need, how supplements will be delivered, how they will measure effects, and how they will reduce any future disruption when grant funds end. The Secretary must evaluate the pilot and send a report to Congress within two years. The bill allows up to 10 percent of each grant for administrative costs. It authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" for fiscal year 2025 and later and takes effect 75 days after enactment.

What it means for you#

  • Child care workers: The bill focuses on wage supplements for low-wage eligible workers. Payments can be given directly, through an employer, or through a trusted intermediary. Payments must be at least quarterly. Workers must be told how payments might affect taxes or public benefits and may choose whether to accept them.
  • States and Tribal governments: Must apply for competitive grants and include plans showing need, eligibility criteria, targeting priorities, delivery methods, evaluation measures, and steps to reduce destabilization after funds end. Up to 10 percent of grant funds may pay administrative costs.
  • Parents and families: The bill states a goal of increasing the supply and quality of child care and of increasing availability of affordable care, but it does not specify direct changes to parent benefits or subsidies in the text.

Expenses#

The bill authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" for fiscal year 2025 and each later fiscal year. There is no specific total amount in the text. Grant recipients may use up to 10 percent of grant funds for administrative costs related to payments, financial counseling, and public awareness.

Proponents' View#

The bill states its purpose is to increase the supply of quality child care services by enhancing wages of child care workers to: attract and retain workers; improve worker well-being; improve quality of child care services; and increase availability of affordable child care.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.