In addition to increasing child care payment rates, lowering eligibility thresholds, and addressing long-standing wait lists, several states are using the 2018 increase to the Child Care and Development Block Grant to support new and innovative programs designed specifically to increase infant and toddler child care access and quality.
On March 23, 2018, Congress passed the FY 2018 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which included a $2.4 billion increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). States across the nation immediately began to increase child care payment rates, lower eligibility thresholds, and address long-standing wait lists. These changes provide a crucial foundation for a high-quality, stable child care system. Several states are using this money to support other new and innovative programs designed specifically to increase infant and toddler child care access and quality. Here are a few highlights of these programs:
- Georgia added 500 slots to serve infants and toddlers with high-quality care through the Quality Rated Subsidy Grant program.
- New Jersey created a new $100-per-month Infant Expansion Quality Initiative Grants program, designed to increase both access to and quality of infant child care in the state.
- North Carolina implemented the AWARD$ program, a new wage supplement program designed to better compensate and retain well-educated teachers working full-time in infant-toddler classrooms.
- Oklahoma launched the Oklahoma Right Start Infant/Toddler Certificate of Achievement Stipend Program. The enhanced funding also supports a collaborative effort with the Oklahoma Early Childhood Program (OECP), a public-private partnership to increase quality for children ages 0 through 3 years.
- Oregon launched the Baby Promise Infant-Toddler Quality and Supply Building Pilot to increase the number of quality infant-toddler early education programs in the state.
- Pennsylvania created a pilot program to contract for subsidized, high-quality slots for infants and toddlers. Funds will also support apprenticeships for infant and toddler teachers to achieve college degrees.
- Texas is funding local workforce boards to further expand targeted quality initiatives, with a specific focus on infant-toddler care and professional development.
Has your state implemented a new program for infants and toddlers with the increased CCDBG dollars? Email us at policycenter@zerotothree.org to be added to this article!
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