CARE for Parenting Students Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]
- Committees
- Education and Workforce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Apr 29, 2026
Bottom line
The CARE for Parenting Students Act aims to increase access to federal child care subsidies for student parents engaged in a wider range of educational and vocational training programs, backed by significant new funding.
What it actually does
This bill expands the definition of 'parental activity' under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to include various accredited and registered educational and training programs, thereby clarifying and broadening eligibility for child care assistance for student parents. Additionally, it authorizes an appropriation of $850,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support the Child Care and Development Block Grant program, in addition to existing funding.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that this bill addresses a critical barrier to educational attainment and workforce development for parents, particularly single parents and those from low-income backgrounds. By clarifying eligibility for student parents in various accredited programs and providing substantial additional funding, it ensures that pursuing education or vocational training does not come at the cost of affordable child care, ultimately fostering economic mobility and reducing poverty.
Opponents contend
Opponents might express concerns about the fiscal implications of authorizing significant new spending, especially if not offset by cuts elsewhere, potentially contributing to the national debt. Some could also argue that expanding eligibility without sufficient oversight might strain existing child care resources or lead to unintended consequences in program administration, though direct opposition to supporting student parents with child care is less common.
The bill text is very short and straightforward, making it highly accessible for a reader to understand its core provisions quickly.
Section 2
Clarification of Parental Activity for Child Care Assistance
This section amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to explicitly include several types of educational and training programs within the definition of 'parental activity.' This means that parents enrolled in programs accredited by higher education institutions, recognized by the Department of Education, registered with labor departments, or approved by state health/nursing boards for certifications (like nursing assistants) will now be clearly eligible for child care assistance under the federal program.
Supporters argue
Supporters contend that this clarification removes ambiguity and ensures that parents pursuing critical education and training, especially in high-demand fields like healthcare, are not excluded from necessary child care support. This directly addresses a barrier to workforce participation and educational advancement.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against clarifying eligibility for student parents, as the goal of supporting education and workforce development is broadly popular. However, some might raise concerns about the administrative burden of verifying eligibility for a broader range of programs.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the goal of supporting student parents' educational and career goals with the administrative complexities of expanding eligibility criteria for a federal program. It seeks to reduce barriers for parents while potentially increasing the workload for state agencies managing the grants.
Section 3
Authorization of Additional Appropriations for Child Care and Development Block Grant
This section authorizes an additional $850,000,000 to be appropriated for the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2031. This funding is explicitly stated to be 'in addition to amounts otherwise authorized,' meaning it represents new, supplementary funding for the program over a five-year period.