On March 7, BridgeCare joined 41 other organizations in signing a letter to Director Russel Vought of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), urging the administration to make early care and education a priority in the FY2026 budget request to Congress.

See the full letter and original release from the First Five Years Fund here.

In the letter, participating groups called on the administration to build on the President's “past support of quality, affordable child care and early learning programs” dating back to his first term, including the strategies outlined in 2019’s White House Principles for Child Care Reform: Increasing Access to Affordable, High Quality Child Care in America. The role of quality, affordable care as both a “pro-work” and “pro-family” policy was highlighted, along with the limitations posed by current funding levels.

The letter specifically urged additional funding for CCDBG, Head Start, IDEA, PDG B-5, and CCAMPIS. The continuation of tax provisions, including the CDCTC, Employer-Provided Child Care Credit, and Dependent Care Assistance Plans was also highlighted.

Given the bipartisan support for ongoing child care reform, and the relevant legislation already working its way through Congress (including the Britt-Kaine Bipartisan Child Care Plan), we are optimistic that many of the goals outlined in the letter can be achieved. We encourage all ECE allies and advocates to contact your representatives early and often to remind them how important access to high-quality, affordable care is to a well-functioning society.

BridgeCare is honored to support that shared vision through the work we’re doing with early care and education systems throughout the country. We look forward to continued participation in working groups like the Federal Child C.A.R.E. Coalition, which spearheaded this effort. Use the form on this page to subscribe to Child Care Matters for more updates on the many forces shaping the future of ECE.