Child care funding guidelines approved

Senators gave final approval May 21 to a bill that provides funding guidelines for child care grants.

LB547, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Kathy Campbell, amends the Quality Child Care Act relating to federal Child Care and Development Block Fund Grants (CCDBG) and sets a funding schedule according to federal reauthorization amounts.

The federal government previously required states to spend a minimum of 4 percent of CCDBG funds on efforts that improve the quality of licensed child care. In 2014, the program’s reauthorization increased that minimum to 7 percent in fiscal year 2015-16, 8 percent in FY2017-18, and 9 percent in FY2019-20 and subsequent years.

LB547 requires the state Department of Health and Human Services to allocate these higher required minimum percentages to early childhood education programs. Funds will be split between the Early Childhood Education Endowment Cash Fund—commonly known as Sixpence—and incentives and support for programs under the Step Up to Quality Child Care Act.

The bill also incorporates LB489, introduced by Cedar Rapids Sen. Kate Sullivan, which expands eligibility for Sixpence grants to early childhood education programs and school districts if the child care provider enrolls in the Step Up to Quality Child Care Act system prior to the grant period.

Child care providers also will be required to participate in training approved by the Early Childhood Training Center. Any school district entering into agreements with child care providers under the bill will be required to employ or contract with a program coordinator who holds a certificate.

Programs receiving grants will be required to obtain a rating of step three or higher on the quality scale within three years of the start date of the initial grant program and maintain that rating to continue to receive funding.

The bill passed on a 42-0 vote.