Tribes Get Streamlined Rules for Child Care Construction Funds
Published Date: 1/23/2026
Notice
Summary
Tribal Lead Agencies can ask to use child care funds for building or fixing child care centers, but they need approval first. The government is updating the rules to make the request process simpler and clearer, cutting down on paperwork. Comments on these changes are open until March 24, 2026, helping tribes get funds faster and easier.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Paperwork Cut: Requests Now Quicker
The Administration for Children and Families revised the procedures to be shorter and clearer, removing 19 pages and 5 requirements and reducing estimated burden per response from about 20 hours to 6 hours. OCC estimates about 20 requests per year from 266 eligible Tribal Lead Agencies, with a total estimated annual burden of 120 hours.
Must Get ACF Approval First
Tribal Lead Agencies must request and receive approval from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) before using Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) money for construction or major renovation of child care facilities, per 42 U.S.C. 9858m(c)(6). This requirement also applies to Tribal Lead Agencies that consolidated under Public Law 102-477.
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