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Q&A
Projected needs and expenditures for child care vouchers
0:22:33
·
75 sec
Council Member Brannan inquires about the projected needs and expenditures for child care vouchers in FY '26. Commissioner Dannhauser provides details on projected spending, enrollment numbers, and average monthly expenditures.
- Projected spending for federal fiscal year '26 is about $1.52 billion
- Up to 60,000 children expected to be enrolled with child care assistance
- Average monthly expenditure for vouchers is approximately $140 million
Justin L. Brannan
0:22:33
Can you so what do you project is the beyond what's already budgeted, what is what do you project is the current need for child care vouchers for FY '26?
Jess Dannhauser
0:22:43
So I mean, by federal fiscal year '26 is so the most of this is federal dollars, if it's okay to use the the federal years, our projected spending is currently about 1,520,000,000.00.
0:22:57
This has assumptions around the growth.
0:23:00
Overall, more children will be enrolled in childcare with this plan than last year.
0:23:06
Obviously we have to be careful around the low income vouchers, but we're projecting up to 60,000 children will be enrolled with child care assistance through the cash assistance program at HRA, which is mandated.
0:23:19
You must serve those families with first.
0:23:22
And then the low income vouchers is discretionary and will be recertifying in those priority categories.
0:23:27
So right now it's at $1,520,000,000 but it's something that we have to watch very closely.
Justin L. Brannan
0:23:32
What's the average monthly expenditure for the vouchers?
Jess Dannhauser
0:23:35
The average, it fluctuates depending on some seasonality.
0:23:39
I believe the last claim we had was $140,000,000
Justin L. Brannan
0:23:44
Per month?
Jess Dannhauser
0:23:46
Yes.
0:23:46
The last monthly claim.