Federal Block Grant Award Summary

The Tennessee Department of Human Services received a $60.5 million Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Discretionary award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (CFDA 93.575), effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2028. This block grant funding supports child care services for low-income families across Tennessee by providing child care subsidies through vouchers or certificates and improving the quality of child care for both subsidized and unsubsidized children. The award enables TDHS to serve as the state's designated lead agency responsible for administering the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), managing the allocation of resources, coordinating service delivery with other federal and state programs, and ensuring compliance with program requirements through a state-approved three-year CCDF plan.

As a prime awardee with demonstrated capacity in managing federal social services programs, TDHS will leverage this funding to enhance early childhood education infrastructure and support workforce development in the child care sector. The department typically partners with local government entities, nonprofit organizations, schools, and community action agencies to implement child care services across Tennessee's urban and rural communities. Award recipients and subrecipients must comply with audit requirements under 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F and related regulations, with ACF conducting plan review and approval within 90 days of submission.