Federal Register #2026-09382

Final Rule Amending Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Regulations

This announcement from the Health and Human Services Department, specifically the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and its Office of Child Care (OCC), details a final rule amending Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations: - No procurement is being conducted; this is a regulatory update, not a solicitation for products or services - No Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or vendors are referenced - The rule rescinds several requirements: - Limiting family co-payments to 7 percent of family income - Mandating provision of some direct services through grants or contracts - Requiring prospective payment to providers - Paying providers based on enrollment - The changes restore flexibility for States, Territories, and Tribes to design and operate their CCDF programs - No products, part numbers, or service quantities are requested - Notable requirement: Emphasis on local agency discretion and removal of prescriptive federal mandates

Description

This final rule amends the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations to reduce costs and burden for States and Territories administering the CCDF program. It rescinds requirements including limiting family co-payments to 7 percent of family income, providing some direct services through grants or contracts, paying providers prospectively, and paying providers based on enrollment. The rule restores flexibility for States, Territories, and Tribes to design and operate their CCDF programs as they see fit. The rule is effective July 13, 2026.

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