Child Care Disaster Relief

Child care disaster relief funds are used for child care recovery to state, territory, and Tribal lead agencies administering the CCDF program in areas affected by major disasters and emergencies. Funds will be awarded in FY 2026 for necessary expens

Funds will be awarded in FY 2026 for necessary expenses directly related to the consequences of major disasters and emergencies declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) occurring in 2023 and 2024. Funds will be used for child care recovery to state, territory, and Tribal lead agencies administering the CCDF program in areas affected by those disasters and emergencies, In addition to the funding available to lead agencies, $100,000 was reserved for federal administration and assistance. Funds were used in FY 2023 and FY 2024 for recovery awards to state, territory, and Tribal lead agencies administering the CCDF program in areas affected by Hurricanes Fiona or Ian in which a major disaster or emergency has been declared under section 401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 and 5191). In addition, to funding available for lead agencies, $2 million was reserved for federal administration and assistance. Both the funds awarded in FY 2026 (for disasters occurring in 2023 and 2024) and the funds awarded in FY 2023-2024 (for Hurricanes Fiona and Ian) may be used for the costs of construction, renovation, and alteration of child care facilities, as well for other allowable CCDF activities, including: replacing materials, supplies, furnishings, vehicles, and equipment; other child care supply building; mental health consultation; quality improvement activities; and direct services. Under Public Law 117-328 and 118-158, funds could be used for the construction and renovation of child care facilities. ACF shall not retain Federal interest after a period of 10 years in any facility renovated, repaired, or rebuilt with these funds. Federal interest provisions do not apply to the renovation or rebuilding of privately-owned family child care homes.

For FY 2026 funding: State, territory, and Tribal lead agencies administering the CCDF program in areas impacted by major disasters and emergencies declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) occurring in 2023 and 2024 . For FY 2023-2024 funding: State, territory, and Tribal lead agencies administering the CCDF program in areas affected by Hurricanes Fiona or Ian in which a major disaster or emergency has been declared under section 401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 and 5191).

If funds are used for child care subsidies, eligible beneficiaries are children under age 13 (or, at the option of the recipient, up to age 19, if physically or mentally incapable of self-care or under court supervision), who (1) reside with a family whose income does not exceed 85% of State median income for a family of the same size, and (2) who reside with a parent (or parents) who is working or attending job training or education, or who are in need of, or are receiving protective services.

Lead agencies administering Child Care and Development Fund programs must use the funds awarded in FY 2023 and FY 2024 for child care expenses directly related to Hurricanes Fiona and Ian occurring in calendar year 2022, and must use funds awarded in FY 2026 for child care expenses related to the consequences of major disasters and emergencies occurring in 2023 and 2024. Lead Agency funding requests are in the following areas: (1) construction, renovation, and alteration of child care facilities; (2) materials, supplies, furnishings, vehicles, and equipment; (3) other child care supply building; (4) mental health consultation; (5) quality improvement activities; and (6) direct services. Provisions related to the CCDF allocation formula did not apply to the use of these funds.

Funds are not available for costs that are reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or under a contract for insurance, or by self-insurance.

Planning awards affected by Hurricanes Fiona or Ian were made in FY 2023. Lead Agencies have three additional years after the year of award to obligate the funds, until September 30, 2026. Lead Agencies have one additional year to liquidate the funds, until September 30, 2027. Remaining funds for phase two were awarded in FY 2024; Lead Agencies will have three additional years after the date of the award to obligate these funds, until FY 2027, with an additional year to liquidate the funds, until FY 2028. American Relief Act disaster CCDF supplemental funds will be awarded by September 30, 2026. Lead Agencies will have three years to obligate the funds, until September 30, 2029, and one additional year to liquidate the funds, until September 30, 2030.

An environmental impact assessment is required if lead agency is proposing to use the funds for construction or major renovation. Each Recipient must designate a lead agency to which awards are made and that is accountable for the use of the Funds provided, the duties of which shall include developing a CCDF plan.

See Program Instructions CCDF-ACF-PI-2023-2, CCDF-ACF-PI-2024-02, and CCDF-PI-2025-06 at: https://www.acf.gov/occ/program-instructions.

ACF released specific instructions to eligible lead agencies. See Program Instructions CCDF-ACF-PI-2023-2, CCDF-ACF-PI-2024-02, and CCDF-PI-2025-06 at: https://www.acf.gov/occ/program-instructions.

Awards are made after the receipt and approval of an application by the Administration for Children and Families.

The Administration for Children and Families will review the application for approval.

This funding was for one-time emergency disaster assistance, and renewal of funding is not expected.

Guidelines for appealing the disapproval of CCDF plans are specified in regulations (45 CFR Part 99).