Important Note: The federal funding freeze announcements are a developing situation. This update is current as of January 14, 2026.
We know many providers and families are feeling serious concern and uncertainty right now. In this post, you’ll find important updates on:
- Federal child care funding freezes and what they mean for providers like you
- Harassment reports targeting immigrant and Somali child care providers
- A Know Your Rights guide to help protect you
Federal Child Care Funding Freeze: What We Know
The Trump Administration has announced a freeze on child care funding to five states, including California.
Under this highly political action, California and the other affected states must provide additional information and receive federal approval before they can access existing child care funds.
More than $1 billion in federal child care funding is at risk in California. While this does not represent all child care funding in California, it does fund a significant portion of vouchers and provider payments. More than 100,000 children in California could be impacted across all child care programs.
California already complies with extensive federal and state guidelines to ensure funds are directed to families and providers. Fraud is illegal and should be properly investigated and prosecuted, but politically targeted federal funding freezes for all child care services hurt every single provider and the children and families they care for. Despite this, these new barriers have been imposed.
At this time, we have confirmed with the State of California that providers should continue to expect payments as normal.
We need to be very clear: this blatant move by the Trump Administration is political and is destabilizing the child care system. This is not the fault of family child care providers or the families we serve. Providers need more investment, not disruption. This action does nothing to address the child care crisis or make care more affordable. Instead, it risks harming children, families, providers, workers, and local economies across California.
Harassment Targeting Immigrant Providers
At the same time, right-wing influencers are using this moment to spread fear and target immigrant child care providers, particularly Somali providers, with harassment and intimidation. We have received reports of these attacks happening right here in California.
Let us be clear: our union will not stand for this! Every child deserves a safe place to learn, and every provider deserves a safe place to work.
Know Your Rights
We’ve seen immigrant providers targeted across the country, and now Black immigrant child care workers are being singled out in an effort to divide communities and shift blame. When this happens, families of every race pay the price, through lost care, closed programs, and growing instability.
Knowing your rights is one way to protect yourself, and your family. Our union has created a Know Your Rights guide specifically for child care providers.
👉 Visit, save, and share: https://childcareprovidersunited.org/yourrights/
Our Union is Prepared to Protect Funding and Protect Families
Providers and families need real action to address the child care crisis, not distractions from federal inaction. When child care is destabilized, all families are affected.
CCPU is prepared to take action with the state and our allies to:
- Protect and expand child care funding for at-home providers
- Defend providers and children from harassment and intimidation
- Stand up for families and children who depend on stable care
Just today (January 8, 2026), the State of California and other states filed suit to fight back against the child care funding freezes announced by the Trump Administration. Read about it here.
Our union and our members are no strangers to challenges. We are ready to stand together once again, but it’s going to take all of us!
Commit Today to Take Action
Complete this short digital commitment form to add your name to our list of child care providers ready to take action. In the coming days, our union will follow up about next steps to protect providers and families and the funding we rely on.
Together, we will protect our livelihoods, our families, and the future of child care.
January 14 Update – Federal Judge Blocks Funding Freeze Following Lawsuits by States
Late afternoon on Friday, January 9, a federal judge ruled the administration cannot block federal money for child care subsidies and other programs aimed at supporting children and their families.
What did the decision say?
Federal judge, Arun Subramanian, ordered the administration to release funding for three critical social service programs that support low-income families and individuals with disabilities, at least for the next two weeks, despite President Trump’s attempts to withhold those funds.
“This attempt by the administration is petty politics. It’s small, but it has big consequences – when you’re targeting the vulnerable, our children, our families, our seniors, the disabled, pulling away food, and housing and child care. It has no basis in fact or law, as we’ve shown when we go to court.”
-California Attorney General, Rob Bonta
While this decision brings short-term relief, it does not guarantee long-term stability. This administration has repeatedly shown a willingness to ignore court orders, and we cannot afford to let our guard down or assume they will do the right thing on their own. The most important action you can take today is to add your name to our ‘Protect Funding, Protect Families‘ commitment as we prepare for the fight ahead. One thing is certain: we are not alone. Our union is ready to do whatever it takes to ensure child care services and the funding our communities depend on, are not interrupted. Add your name to our digital commitment form now!
