Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a competitive grant program to expand career and technical education for early childhood educators and strengthen the child care workforce. The Department of Education, working with the Department of Health and Human Services, would award grants to partnerships that build, support, or scale early childhood education CTE programs of study.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants to train early childhood workers
If enacted, the bill would create a competitive grant program run by the Education Secretary, working with HHS, to start, expand, or support career and technical programs in early childhood education. Grants could pay for classroom materials, work-based learning, industry credentials (for example, the Child Development Associate), apprenticeships, and supports like advising, tutoring, child care help, transportation, scholarships, and stipends. The Secretary would aim for geographic balance and give priority to areas with childcare shortages and to programs that serve infants and toddlers, offer extended hours, provide inclusive services, or partner with higher education. Each grant would normally last up to five years, and the Secretary could extend a grant once for up to two more years if the program shows improved student outcomes.
New application and reporting rules for grantees
If enacted, applicants would need to submit detailed plans showing how grant funds will be used, how partners will share duties, and how programs will help students including special populations. Grant recipients would have to fund independent evaluations and file annual reports showing how funds were used and performance on Perkins Act indicators, with data broken out by student subgroups and special populations. Applicants must also give assurances to provide data for Secretary-led evaluations and allow third-party validation consistent with privacy laws such as FERPA. Applications must include training on infant and toddler development and, if applicable, show how programs respond to State preschool development plans.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]
GA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
OR • D
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]
PA • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov