On March 1, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families published updates to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations (45 CFR Part 98) through a Final Rule published in the Federal Register. While Tribal CCDF Lead Agencies are exempt from most of the new requirements in this Final Rule, there are several important new flexibilities for Tribes related to construction, family co-payments, and provider payment practices.

Specifically, this final rule supports Native families by lowering child care costs and making enrollment easier and faster. The final rule also provides increased flexibility for Tribal Lead Agencies on construction renovations and spending deadlines as well as approaches to provider payments. Tribal Leaders, Tribal CCDF Lead Agencies, Tribal child care providers, Tribal families, and other interested parties are encouraged to read this Final Rule and related resources. Unless explicitly stated in the Subpart I of the Final Rule, regulations in previous final rules remain in effect for Tribal Lead Agencies. (author abstract)