Drastic Drops in Spending and Caseloads for Child Care Program in Rhode Island

March 27, 2012

The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) was enacted in 1997 to assure access to high quality child care for children in low and moderate income working families. Enrollment and funding increased each year until 2005. From 2005 to 2011 total funding declined by 40% and general revenue investment dropped from $56.1 million from $9.3 million in 2011. The steepest drop, from 2007 – 2008, was the result of program cuts to reduce state funding. These included a reduction of the income eligibility limit form 225% to 180% FPL and lowering the maximum age of eligible children from 15 to 12. Around 2,000 children lost coverage as a result of these changes in 2007. Families with moderate income (180 – 225% FPL) can no longer access subsidized care, denying young children access to the early learning opportunities provided by quality child care programs.