The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is a federal grant administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children & Families Child Care Bureau (ACF). CCDF block grants are awarded to states, territories and Tribal Nations to help ensure families with low incomes, families receiving temporary public assistance, and families transitioning from public assistance can obtain child care while they work or attend classes.
CCDF dollars pay for:
- Subsidized child care for families (DEL sets policy for Working Connections Child Care subsidy program, while the Department of Social and Health Services determines eligibility and makes payments to providers)
- Activities to improve the quality of child care and offer additional services to parents, such as child care referral services and training for child care providers
- Other research and technical assistance at the state and national level
As the lead state agency for the federal Child Care and Development Fund block grant, DEL must submit a plan every two years for how the funding will be used to improve accessibility and quality of child care in our state.
Click to read the 2009-2011 CCDF plan.