S. 169 — Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act of 2025

This section establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the Secretaries of Education and Labor, to award grants to States and Tribal entities for up to five years to increase access to quality child care in child care deserts (i.e., census tracts where children under age 5 outnumber licensed or registered child care slots by more than three-to-one, or State- or Tribal-determined communities with low supply of quality, affordable child care). The program authorizes two grant types: (1) child care workforce grants to develop and expand the child care workforce, including by increasing stackable and portable credentials in child care or early childhood education (as defined in Department of Labor guidance), providing outreach to non-degree holders and those unable to afford degrees, and offering assistance for secondary, postsecondary, or training programs eligible under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act or Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (or other State- or Tribal-specified programs); and (2) child care facility grants, which States and Tribal entities may use directly or disburse (including as loans) for construction, expansion, or renovation of eligible child care provider facilities, including licensed family child care homes. Grant applications must identify a lead agency and, for workforce grants, describe plans to increase credential attainment and child care availability.