Improving Child Care Access, Affordability and Stability in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)

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Written By Michael Medwick

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Baby boy playing with toys on a carpet in a child care setting.

On March 1, 2024, the Office of Child Care (OCC), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published their final rule which makes changes to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). The final rule is intended to lower child care costs for families, strengthen payment practices for child care providers and make program enrollment easier and faster for families.

The final rule became effective April 30, 2024, and applies to states’ FY2025-2027 CCDF State and Territory Plans. The plans must be submitted by July 1, 2024, and become effective October 1, 2024.

CCDF State and Territory Plans must demonstrate how they meet the changes outlined in the final rule. States may also request a temporary transitional waiver for up to two years. Nebraska has requested the transitional waiver. This means the current draft of the 2025-2027 Nebraska CCDF State Plan does not meet all the requirements of the final rule.

This blog post outlines the changes made by the final rule and how those changes are addressed in the draft of the 2025-2027 Nebraska CCDF State Plan.


Public Input

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) accepted public input on the proposed plan via mail or at the hearing on June 24, 2024. 

Child Care Affordability

Table outlining the impact of a federal rule change on child care affordability in Nebraska.

Expanding Parent Choices and Provider Stability

Table describing the impact of a federal rule on parental choice in child care and child care provider stability.

Expanding Access to Subsidy and Reducing Bureaucracy

Table describing the impact of a federal rule on access to the child care subsidy and reductions in bureaucracy.

Miscellaneous and Technical Changes

Table showing miscellaneous changes to child care in Nebraska as a result of a federal ruling.
Michael Medwick
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