Federal Block Grant Award Summary

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education received a Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Discretionary award of $50.74 million from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF) on October 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2028. Under CFDA 93.575, this block grant funds child care subsidies and services for low-income families in Missouri, primarily through vouchers or certificates, while supporting quality improvements in child care facilities serving both subsidized and unsubsidized children. The award aligns with the three-year CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) plan submission cycle, requiring the state lead agency to coordinate with local governments, conduct public hearings, and maintain compliance with federal requirements under 45 CFR Parts 98 and 99.

As the designated lead agency, Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is responsible for administering the block grant funds to expand affordable, high-quality child care access across the state and enhance early childhood education infrastructure. The funding supports the state's child care subsidy program, quality improvement initiatives, and workforce development while maintaining sliding fee scales for eligible families. This award reflects ACF's broader strategy of distributing Child Care and Development Block Grant funding across states and territories to strengthen child care systems and promote healthy child development and learning outcomes.