Supporting Working Families: State-Led Child Care Solutions

The House Committee on Education & Workforce held a hearing on September 2, 2026, focused on state-led child care solutions to support working families. The discussion emphasized the critical role of affordable, high-quality child care in enabling workforce participation and economic growth. Witnesses from Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, and policy institutes shared innovative state initiatives such as regulatory reforms, workforce support programs, employer partnerships, and data-driven tools to expand child care supply and improve affordability. Several states highlighted programs that increase provider payment rates, reduce administrative burdens, and create new child care facilities, including micro centers and employer-sponsored centers. The hearing also addressed the importance of federal investment, particularly through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Head Start programs, noting current funding gaps that limit access for eligible families. Members discussed the need for flexible federal policies that empower states, protect existing programs, and support workforce retention through better compensation and professional development. Proposals like the Child Care Modernization Act were mentioned to tie provider payments to the true cost of care and expand supply grants. The hearing underscored the necessity of a multi-faceted approach combining state innovation with sustained federal funding to address the national child care crisis effectively.