H.R. 3273: Child Care Workforce Development Act

The Child Care Workforce Development Act aims to improve the availability and quality of early childhood education by providing financial assistance to early childhood educators and facilitating grants for education and training in this field.

Loan Assistance Program

The bill allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program that offers loan assistance to eligible early childhood educators. Here are the main points:

• Loan Repayment: Educators who agree to work for at least five years in early childhood education will have up to $6,000 per year of their educational loans repaid by the federal government.
• Eligibility: To qualify, educators must hold federal direct loans for their education in early childhood education and be in good standing with those loans.
• Annual Certification: Educators must provide yearly updates to the Secretary to continue receiving loan assistance.
• Maximum Payment: Total payments from the government cannot exceed the total amount owed on their educational loans.

Grants for Education

The bill also establishes a grant program aimed at supporting individuals pursuing qualifications in early childhood education. Key features include:

• Grants by Institutions: The Secretary of Education will distribute funds to colleges and universities with approved early childhood education programs. These funds will enable schools to provide grants to eligible students who apply.
• Grant Amount: Students can receive up to $4,000 per academic year while enrolled in their programs, and grants can be renewed for up to four years with conditions.
• Service Obligation: Recipients must agree to work as educators for a certain period after graduation, with strict penalties if they fail to fulfill this obligation.

Funding

The bill authorizes federal funding to support these initiatives:

• Loan Assistance Program: A budget of $25 million is allocated for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to support the loan repayment program.
• Grants for Education: An allocation of $10 million for each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2030 is designated for the grant program, with limitations on administrative expenses.

Definitions and Administration

Several terms are defined for clarity, including:

• Eligible Educator: An individual who is actively pursuing or has completed a degree in early childhood education and agrees to work in the field.
• Qualified Employer: Childcare providers that meet certain federal funding criteria.
• Secretary: Refers to the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Secretary of Education, depending on the section of the bill.

Reporting Requirement

Notably, the Secretary must report to Congress on the implementation and outcomes of the loan assistance and grant programs five years after the bill is enacted.

Relevant Companies

• None found