Arizona Expands Child Care Assistance To 900 Children Amid 6,100 On Waitlist

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs announced that 900 children have been removed from the waitlist and are now eligible for child care assistance, funded through the Arizona Promise Budget which allocates $125.9 million in state and federal funds. This marks the largest investment of general funds for child care since the Great Recession and aims to reduce the extensive waitlist that includes over 6,100 children from nearly 3,700 families. Priority for assistance is given to families at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level, with notifications sent via letters, emails, and texts to those released from the waitlist. Families must respond by July 25 to confirm enrollment in the Child Care Assistance Program, which supports families with children under 13 to afford child care while parents work or attend school. Despite this funding boost, the program's resources will still only cover a fraction of those waiting, highlighting ongoing challenges due to previous funding cuts and the expiration of federal COVID-related child care funds. Governor Hobbs emphasized her commitment to expanding access and making child care more affordable and accessible for Arizona families.