The National Women’s Law Center and CLASP submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on February 4, 2026, opposing proposed regulations that would roll back key provisions of a 2024 rule, Improving Child Care Access, Affordability, and Stability in the Child Care and Development Fund. The 2024 rule aimed to make the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), the major federal child care program, work better for children, families, and child care providers. The proposed rule would repeal important provisions of that 2024 rule, including requirements that states:
- Cap copayments for families receiving child care assistance at 7 percent of income.
- Use some grants and contracts to provide child care services, including at a minimum for children in underserved geographic areas, infants and toddlers, and children with disabilities.
- Pay child care providers who serve children receiving child care assistance prospectively (in advance of or at the beginning of the delivery of services).
- Pay child care providers who serve children receiving child care assistance based on authorized enrollment rather than attendance.
NWLC and CLASP urged the administration to preserve these provisions and withdraw its proposed rule.
NWLC also worked with CLASP and other national organizations to lead a sign-on letter similarly opposing the proposed rule. A total of 207 national, state, and local organizations and child care programs signed onto those comments.