CARE for Parenting Students Act

Key Points

• The bill expands who qualifies for federal childcare assistance by clarifying that parents enrolled in college, accredited job training, nursing programs, and other approved education programs count as eligible. Currently, some students in these programs fall through the cracks because the law doesn't explicitly list their type of schooling.
• The bill authorizes $850 million per year in new funding for five years (2027 through 2031), totaling $4.25 billion. This money would go to the existing Child Care and Development Block Grant program, which helps low-income families afford childcare.
• Introduced by Rep. Strickland, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. It amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to broaden the definition of qualifying parental activities.
• By making childcare assistance available to more student-parents, the bill aims to remove a major barrier that prevents low-income parents from completing their education or job training, especially in healthcare fields like nursing assistant certification.