Child Care Workforce Act

S. 846 would establish a pilot program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services to award competitive grants to states, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations. The grants would be used to supplement the wages of child care workers in licensed, regulated, or registered programs. The bill aims to increase the supply of quality child care services by making the profession more attractive and helping retain experienced workers. If enacted, the program would consider factors such as the number of young children in an area, the number of existing child care workers, and the percentage of families eligible for child care subsidies when selecting grant recipients. The bill would authorize funding for fiscal year 2026 and subsequent years, with up to 10 percent of grant funds available for administrative costs. The Secretary of Health and Human Services would be required to evaluate the program's effectiveness in attracting and retaining child care workers, improving worker wellbeing, and enhancing child care service quality.