More federal money for child care is coming to Washington

Child care assistance for those most in need is getting a boost in Washington.

As part of the federal funding package Congress approved last month, the state will receive almost $12 million more over the next year to help low-income families pay for child care, according to estimates from The Center for Law and Social Policy. That brings Washington’s total for the federal grant program this money will flow under to around $128 million.

The new money is part of a nationwide $725 million increase in funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant program, which provides states with funding to give subsidies to eligible low-income families. Overall, the federal spending plan includes $1 billion in new funding for child care and early learning programs.

Though it’s too early to tell exactly how many families in Washington the extra money might reach, Genevieve Stokes, government relations director at Child Care Aware of Washington, said the funding may allow the state to increase the number of families who receive subsidies or to provide higher rates to providers who offer subsidized care.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/04/04/more-federal-money-for-child-care-is-coming-to-washington/