By Trish Svoboda

The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is the primary federal funding source to assist low-income families with childcare costs and improve overall care quality. However, limited federal investments and restrictive policies result in many families being unable to access subsidies.

A report from the Center for Law and Social Policy revealed that families across the country face challenges in accessing the childcare support they are entitled to. In 2020, the report showed only 14% of eligible families received assistance.

In Kansas, approximately 12% of those likely to qualify received help with childcare costs. Although 20% of children in Kansas were potentially eligible for subsidies, there is significant variation among racial/ethnic groups. The low access to subsidies indicates the need for addressing barriers, highlighting the importance of increased federal funding and policies that address racial and economic inequalities. This support is essential for tackling historical underfunding and meeting the increased demand worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.