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. The Child Care and Development Block Grant (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 CCE 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. The Discretionary portion of the CCDF funds provides about $5.2 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.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
93.575
Federal Agency/Office
Administration For Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
A - Formula Grants
Program Accomplishments
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 Fiscal Year 2019: It is anticipated that 332 Discretionary grants will be awarded to 50 States, District of Columbia, five Territories, 260 Tribes and other grantees (research and TA).
Authorization
42 U.S.C. 9857
Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014, Public Law 113-186
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Eligibility: 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.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Children under age 13 (or, at the option of the grantee, 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. 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% SMI or, at Lead Agency option, the family experiences a non-temporary cessation of work, education, or training.
Credentials/Documentation
Lead Agencies must operate under a CCDF plan approved by the Administration for Children and Families, and must provide assurances that the Grantee will comply with the requirements of the CCDBG Act and all applicable Federal law.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. Each Grantee must designate a Lead Agency to which grants are awarded 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.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. A Lead Agency desiring to receive an 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 grants process. Each CCDF plan must contain certifications and assurances by the Lead Agency that it will comply with the requirements of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG). 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.
Award Procedure
Grants are awarded after the receipt and approval of the CCDF plan by the Administration for Children and Families.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
The Administration for Children and Families will review the CCDF plans for approval and will act on the plans within 90 days.
Appeals
Guidelines for appealing the disapproval of CCDF plans are specified in regulations (45 CFR Part 99).
Renewals
CCDF plans must be submitted every three years.
How are proposals selected?
Not applicable.
How may assistance be used?
In the Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act of 2019 (P.L. 115-245), 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. A portion of the Discretionary Funds is also 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. The Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act of 2019 provided an increase of $52.76 million in CCDF discretionary funds for a total CCDF appropriation of $8.2 billion. The increase in funds will support states, territories and tribes as they continue to implement CCDF reauthorization efforts and meet the goals as outlined in the Act, including: ensuring health and safety standards are met; improving the quality of child care; increasing provider payment rates; and expanding working families’ access to quality and affordable child care.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.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Performance monitoring is in accordance with 45 CFR 98.90.
Auditing
45 CFR Part 75 Subpart F applies to this program
Records
Lead Agencies and subgrantees must retain all CCDF records for three years from the day the Lead Agency or subgrantee submits the Financial Reports as required by the regulations at 45 CFR 98.90.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
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.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grant awards are made to Lead Agencies with approved CCDF plans. Grantees 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. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Quarterly.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
For a list of Office of Child Care Regional Program Managers: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/occ/resource/regional-child-care-program-managers.
Headquarters Office
Abdihakin Abdi
Office of Child Care,
Administration for Children and Families,
Department of Health and Human Services
Washington, DC 20201 US
Abdihakin.Abdi@acf.hhs.gov
Phone: 202-401-2113
Website Address
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-1515-0-1-609
Obligations
(Formula Grants) FY 18$5,165,123,399.00; FY 19 est $5,220,240,000.00; FY 20 est $5,219,090,000.00; FY 17$2,856,000,000.00; FY 16$2,761,000,000.00; - These figures do not include CCDF Mandatory Funds and Matching Funds under CFDA 93.596.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
For the States, including DC and Puerto Rico, the range of grants in FY 2018 is: $6,259,247to $533,253,621 the average grant is $ 93,073,527. For the 260 Tribal grantees, the range of grants in FY 2018 is: $51,787 to $33,788,023; the average grant is $1,151,904. For the four Territories, the range of grants in FY 2018 is $4,275,914 to $9,849,176 ; the average grant is $6,532,500.These figures are not inclusive of funds received through CFDA 93.596.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
These funds are subject to the Child Care and Development Fund regulations at 45 CFR Parts 98 and 99.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.

 


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