Final regulations are posted in the Federal Register. These regulations are being posted since Congress has made the law that provides for child care subsidies permanent.
Federal families utilize a number of different child care options that include both alternative work arrangements and non-parental child care. Federal personnel policies include leave policies and flexible work schedules to help employees with their child care responsibilities. Employees might choose one option at one point in their career, and another option at a different point. The policies are designed to give Federal employees the flexibilities they need to manage personal and professional responsibilities.
To help make child care more affordable for lower income Federal employees, Public Law 107-67 was enacted on November 12, 2001. The law permits agencies in the executive branch of government to assist lower income employees with their child care costs. For more information about implementation of this law, go to: Guide for Implementing Child Care Legislation
That Law permits agencies to spend appropriated funds, including revolving funds otherwise available for salaries, to assist lower income employees with the costs of child care. Check with your individual agency to see if they are offering a child care subsidy program. If you meet the Department's eligibility criteria, your child care costs might be REDUCED!
The Child Care Subsidy Program applies to employees whose children are between the ages of birth and 13, or disabled and under age 18, and are enrolled, or will be enrolled, in family child care homes or center-based child care. The child care must be licensed and/or regulated by State and/or local authorities.
Choosing Quality Child Care
Parents make one of their most important decisions in life when they choose a particular child care arrangement for their child or children---who will provide the care; how and what services will be provided; and where child care will be provided all impact greatly on how an infant or child will develop. Issues of safety are of utmost concern, and also of great importance are considerations about the overall development and well-being of the child as it relates to the quality of care the child receives. Whether in-home care, family child care, or center-based care is chosen, children have basic needs that must be met by the adults who have responsibility for fostering their growth and development. Today there are many valuable resources available to parents so they can make informed decisions about their child care arrangements. Additional information and resources on child care can be found below.
Highlights
- Over 250 child care centers have been established in Federal space for use by Federal and community employees.
- In study after study, child care affordability is one of the most frequently cited issues for working parents.
- A number of non-profit child care governing boards in centers located in Federal space conduct fundraising to assist families with their child care costs.
- Public Law 107-67, section 630, enacted on November 12, 2001, allows executive branch agencies to use appropriated funds, ordinarily used for salaries and expenses, to assist their lower income employees with child care costs.
- Providing child care centers and/or resource and referral services for employees is cited in national surveys as one of the best benefits for working parents.
- The fastest growing sector of child care is infant care.
- Infant care is typically hard to find and, in some cases, parents join waiting lists while expecting to adopt or give birth.
- The quality of child care impacts children's development.
Child Support Enforcement
The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Support Enforcement provides programs and services to assist in issues related to child support enforcement. Please visit their website at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/index.html for further information.
Resources
Web Sites
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NOTE: Under Federal Law, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is prohibited from ranking, endorsing, or promoting agencies or organizations listed on its Web site.
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