Childcare for all. Proposed low-cost high-quality childcare in two areas that are considered childcare deserts

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency, Inc. $1.6 million on September 30, 2025, under the Community Services Block Grant Discretionary Awards program (CFDA 93.570), Community Economic Development funding opportunity.

Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency will establish and operate two affordable, high-quality childcare centers in Sumner and Trousdale Counties, Tennessee, addressing persistent childcare shortages in these designated childcare desert areas. The centers will serve more than 150 families annually and generate over $1.3 million in earned revenue through social enterprise operations. The recipient will prioritize recruitment and employment of individuals with low incomes, creating at least 30 full-time jobs with 23 positions reserved for individuals below HHS poverty guidelines. MCCAA will integrate wraparound supports for employees and eligible families, including case management, financial empowerment services, transportation assistance, and access to food, housing, and utility stability programs. The recipient will leverage its existing client base from LIHEAP, CSBG, and Head Start programs, along with partnerships with workforce development boards, housing authorities, and community-based organizations.

Performance period runs through September 29, 2028. Work is performed in Tennessee.

Wraparound services will be provided for eligible staff and parents. - mid-cumberland community action agency INC. Will use $800,000 in CED funds to establish and expand affordable, high-quality childcare centers in sumner and trousdale counties, tennessee. These "childcare desert" counties face persistent childcare shortages, long waitlists, and high costs, leaving low-income households without viable options. The proposed project directly addresses this GAP through the launch of two fully operational social enterprise childcare centers that will prioritize the recruitment and employment of individuals with low incomes by utilizing mccaa's existing client base (liheap, csbg, head start families), as well as partnerships with workforce development boards, housing authorities, and community-based organizations. The childcare centers are projected to serve more than 150 families annually and generate over $1.3 million in earned revenue. Mccaa will integrate wraparound supports for employees, including case management, financial empowerment services, transportation assistance, and access to food, housing, and utility stability programs. This project will create at least 30 full-time jobs, 23 of which will be reserved for individuals with low incomes.