Child Care and Development Block Grant

Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the Discretionary funding authorized by the CCDBG Act. The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is the primary federal funding source to help certain families with low incomes access child care and to improve the quality of child care for all children. The CCDF consists of both the CCDBG Discretionary funding and the Mandatory and Matching funding under the Social Security Act. CCDF is a block grant to states, territories, and tribes to provide child care subsidies primarily through vouchers or certificates to families with low income.

Eligibility for Discretionary CCDBG formula grants: 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.

Eligibility for Discretionary CCDBG non-formula awards for technical assistance, research, demonstration, and evaluation projects can be found in the NOFOs or contract solicitations. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from competitive review and funding under this funding opportunity.

Children under age 13 (or, at the option of the Lead Agency, 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 are eligible. 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% State median income or, at Lead Agency option, the family experiences a non-temporary cessation of work, education, or training.

A state, territory, or tribal lead agency desiring to receive a block grant 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 awards process. Each CCDF plan must contain certifications and assurances by the lead agency that it will comply with the requirements of the CCDBG Act. 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 Act; an outline of the intended use of block grant funds in compliance with Section 658E(c)(3) of the CCDBG Act; the provision of certification regarding payment rates as stated in Section 658E(c)(4) of the CCDBG Act; and the establishment of a sliding fee scale. Additional requirements are specified by 45 CFR Parts 98 and 99. Technical assistance, research, demonstration, and evaluation projects may be funded through grants, or cooperative agreements. Applicants may find and apply to NOFOs on https://www.grants.gov.

Block grants to state, territory and tribal lead agencies are awarded after the receipt and approval of the CCDF plan by the Administration for Children and Families. For non-formula grant awards, each application is reviewed against four factors: eligibility, the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, and the Award Ceiling. If the application does not meet all of these factors, then it is disqualified from the merit review process. After the initial review, applications are reviewed and evaluated by merit review panels using only the criteria described in the Application Review section of the NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. While merit review scores and their ranking are not binding, ACF does consider them when selecting projects for funding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. Other criteria are explained in the Program Description section and in the Application Review section of the NOFO. In addition, ACF reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering the geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g., ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested.

The Administration for Children and Families will review the CCDF plans for approval and will act on the plans within 90 days.