Health and Human Services Department
Doc #2026-09382
Restoring Flexibility in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
Published
May 12, 2026
Summary
This final rule amends the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations to reduce costs and burden for States and Territories administering the CCDF program. It rescinds the requirements to limit family co-payments to 7 percent of family income, to provide some direct services through grants or contracts, to pay providers prospectively, and to pay providers based on enrollment. A plain language summary of this final rule is posted at https:// www.regulations.gov/document/ACF-2026-0001-0002.
Constitutional Analysis
Economic Rights – Access to Child Care
restricts
80% confidence
The law rescinds requirements that limit family co-payments, potentially increasing financial burdens on families seeking child care.