RD406 - Obtaining the Maximum Available Federal Funding for Child Care Services - December 2011


Executive Summary:
The Department of Social Services (DSS) has obtained the maximum amount of federal funds available for child care services since Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 03. This trend continued through FFY 11.

Virginia's child care program helps low-income families pay for child care so they can maintain employment or attend approved education/training activities. The program also invests in quality activities to improve child care services for citizens of the Commonwealth.

Strategies employed by DSS to maximize federal funds include: transferring funds from other programs, fully utilizing state Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) expenditures, and seeking reallocated federal funds not used by other states. Strategies that blend state and local resources to meet federal matching requirements have been implemented. In addition to the annual federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) award and transfers from the TANF block grant to CCDF, Virginia's child care program was awarded funds in FFY 09 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), P.L. No. 111-5. All ARRA funds were expended effective September 30, 2011. Effective strategies to maximize federal funds are continually assessed and employed to ensure appropriate and consistent maximization of federal funds.