Information Memoranda
American Relief Act (ARA) CCDF Discretionary Supplemental Funds
January 14, 2025
Information Memorandum ACF-OCC-CCDF-IM-25-03 provides an overview and guidance on the supplemental funding made available through the ARA.
Implementation of CCDF through a Tribal Consortium
January 10, 2025
Information Memorandum ACF-OCC-CCDF-IM-25-02 provides guidance to Federally Recognized Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and CCDF Tribal Lead Agencies on the CCDF requirements and best practices for the implementation of CCDF programs through a Tribal Consortium.
Tribal CCDF Lead Agency Flexibilities for CCDF Parental Activity Requirements
January 7, 2025
Information Memorandum ACF-OCC-CCDF-IM-25-01 provides guidance to Federally Recognized Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and CCDF Tribal lead agencies on the CCDF requirements and flexibilities for the implementation of CCDF eligibility policies regarding parental activity requirements.
Use of Federal Early Childhood Funds to Improve Housing in Tribal Workforce
November 01, 2024
Information Memorandum ACF-OCC-CCDF-IM-24-02 provides an overview and guidance to Tribal CCDF lead agencies, American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) Head Start award recipients, and Tribal MIECHV recipients regarding how CCDF, Head Start, and Tribal MIECHV funds can be used to address challenges recruiting and retaining an effective Tribal early childhood workforce serving Tribal communities where access to affordable housing is limited.
Engaging Families and Early Educators with Direct Experience in Child Care and Early Childhood Systems
October 16, 2024
Information Memorandum ACF- ECD-OCC-IM-24-09 affirms that funding provided through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) can be expended to engage individuals with direct experience in the child care subsidy system and early childhood services and systems. ACF is providing joint guidance since CCDF and PDG B-5 implementation responsibilities are often co-located within the same state agency.
Using CCDF to Promote Mental Health and Well-being
May 9, 2024
Information Memorandum ACF-OCC-CCDF-IM-24-01: Provides guidance to Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) lead agencies regarding how CCDF funds can be used to improve the mental health and well-being of children, families, and the early care and education workforce. This IM does not include any changes to the Office of Child Care’s (OCC) existing interpretation of how CCDF funds can be used but clarifies allowable uses for supporting mental health.
Using CCDF to Improve Compensation for the Child Care Workforce
September 7, 2022
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2022-02: Provides an overview of and guidance to lead agencies regarding how CCDF funds and the ARP Act CCDF Discretionary Supplemental Funds can be used to raise child care staff compensation. This IM does not change OCC’s interpretation of how CCDF or ARP Act funds can be used but clarifies allowable uses for supporting child care staff compensation.
Use of Tribal Child Care and Development Fund Resources to Support Early Childhood Systems Building
April 1, 2022
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2022-01: Assists Tribal CCDF Lead Agencies considering how to leverage Tribal CCDF funding to implement their vision for a stronger system of high-quality early care and education at the tribal community level.
ARP Act Increased Mandatory and Matching Funds
July 30, 2021
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2021-04: Provides provide an overview and guidance on the additional CCDF mandatory and matching funds made available through the ARP Act.
ARP Act CCDF Discretionary Supplemental Funds
June 11, 2021
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2021-03: Provides an overview and guidance on the supplemental CCDF Discretionary funds made available through the ARP Act.
ARP Act Child Care Stabilization Grants
May 10, 2021
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2021-02: Provides an overview and guidance on the child care stabilization grants made available through the ARP Act.
CCDF Discretionary Funds Appropriated in the CRRSA Act (Pub. L. 116-260), signed into law on December 27, 2020
April 14, 2021
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2021-01: CCDF Discretionary Funds Appropriated in the CRRSA Act (Pub. L. 116-260), signed into law on December 27, 2020
ACF grant flexibilities in conducting human service activities related to or affected by COVID-19 (PDF)
March 30, 2020
Information Memorandum IM-ACF-OA-2020-01: ACF grant flexibilities in conducting human service activities related to or affected by COVID-19
Letter regarding IM-ACF-OA-2020-01
CCDF Discretionary Funds Appropriated in the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136) passed into law on March 27, 2020
April 29, 2020
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2020-01:CCDF Discretionary Funds Appropriated in the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136) passed into law on March 27, 2020
CCDF Policy Opportunities for Supporting Populations Impacted by Opioid Misuse and Substance Use Disorders
June 5, 2019
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2019-01: CCDF Policy Opportunities for Supporting Populations Impacted by Opioid Misuse and Substance Use Disorders IM
Increase in Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Discretionary Funds in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-141)
August 22, 2018
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2018-03: CCDF Discretionary Funds Increase IM
Integrating Approaches that Prioritize and Enhance Father Engagement
October 17, 2018
Information Memorandum ACF-ACF-IM-18-01: Integrating Approaches that Prioritize and Enhance Father Engagement
Child Care Consumer Education Website Requirements and Resources
July 23, 2018
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2018-02: Child Care Consumer Education Website Requirements and Resources
Transmittal of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Assistance Guidance— Public Assistance for Child Care Services
February 27, 2018
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2018-01: Statewide Disaster Plan (or Disaster Plan for a Tribe’s service area) for Child Care
Statewide Disaster Plan (or Disaster Plan for a Tribe’s service area) for Child Care
November 27, 2017
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2017-01: Statewide Disaster Plan (or Disaster Plan for a Tribe’s service area) for Child Care
Flexibility in Spending CCDF Funds in Response to Federal or State Declared Emergency Situations
November 27, 2017
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2017-02: Flexibility in Spending CCDF Funds in Response to Federal or State Declared Emergency Situations
Supporting Parents in Job Training and Education Programs with Child Care Assistance
November 29, 2016
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2016-04: Supporting Parents in Job Training and Education Programs with Child Care Assistance
Child Care Reauthorization and Opportunities for TANF and CCDF
February 19, 2016
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2016-02: Child Care Reauthorization and Opportunities for TANF and CCDF
Developmental and Behavioral Screenings
January 19, 2016
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2016-01: Developmental and Behavioral Screenings
Building the Supply of High-Quality Child Care
November 6, 2015
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2015-02: Building the Supply of High-Quality Child Care
Children's Social-Emotional and Behavioral Health
September 8, 2015
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2015-01: State policies to promote social-emotional and behavioral health of young children in child care settings in partnership with families.
Policy and Program Guidance for the Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CCP) Partnerships
August 6, 2015
Information Memorandum ACF-IM-HS-15-03: Policy and Program Guidance for the Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CCP) Partnerships
Refugee Resettlement and Child Care Partnerships: Partnering to Increase Refugee Families’ Access to High-Quality Child Care
March 25, 2014
Information Memorandum: Refugee Resettlement and Child Care Partnership
Crib Standards Information Memorandum
December 7, 2012
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2012-02: Beginning December 28, 2012 any crib used by child care facilities, including family child care homes, must meet the new Federal
requirements.
Head Start, Child Care, and Public Libraries: Partnerships to Support Young Children and Their Families
May 9, 2012
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2012-01: The purpose of this Information Memorandum is to provide Head Start programs and CCDF grantees with information about a partnership between the Administration for Children and Families (ACF)/Office of Head Start, ACF/Office of Child Care, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) encouraging collaboration between early childhood programs and public libraries to help meet the educational needs of young children and their families.
Policies and Practices that Promote Continuity of Child Care Services and Enhance Subsidy Systems
September 21, 2011
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2011-06: Policies and Practices that Promote Continuity of Child Care Services and Enhance Subsidy Systems
Background Checks, Health and Safety Requirements, CCDF Plan (Archived: contains outdated information)
September 20, 2011
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2011-05: Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), Background Checks, Health and Safety Requirements, CCDF Plan
Early Childhood Education, Financial Stability, and Asset Building Strategies for Families with Young Children
August 31, 2011
Information Memorandum: CCDF-ACF-IM-2011-04: Key strategies for Head Start and CCDF grantees to help families with low incomes and limited assets improve their financial stability.
Fiscal Year 2011 CCDF Allocations and Targeted Funds for Tribes (ARCHIVED)
May 25, 2011
Information Memorandum: CCDF-ACF-IM-2011-03: Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Final Allocations and Targeted Funds.
Child Welfare and Child Care Partnerships: Partnering with Families Involved in Child Care Subsidy Programs
April 1, 2011
Information Memorandum: Information to encourage partnerships across these agencies to better serve vulnerable child populations and families.
Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning for Child Care; CCDF Plan (ARCHIVED)
February 17, 2011
Information Memoradum CCDF-ACF-IM-2011-01: CCDF Lead Agencies guidance in developing, exercising, and maintaining written child care emergency preparedness and response plans.
Helping Victims of Domestic Violence and Their Children
October 29, 2010
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-2010-02: This Information Memorandum provides Head Start programs and CCDF grantees with information about domestic violence.
Transmittal of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Assistance Fact Sheet — Public Assistance for Child Care Services (ARCHIVED)
July 6, 2010
Information Memoradum CCDF-ACF-IM-2010-01: Transmittal of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Assistance Fact Sheet 9580.107 — Public Assistance for Child Care Services.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009: Key Areas of Flexibility in the CCDF Program (ARCHIVED)
June 2, 2009
Information Memorandum CCDF-ACF-IM-09-01: Flexibility in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Program
Flexibility in Spending CCDF Funds in Response to Federal or State Declared Emergency Situations (ARCHIVED)
September 6, 2005
Information Memorandum: ACYF-IM-CC-05-03: Flexibility in Spending CCDF Funds in Response to Federal or State Declared Emergency Situations
Tribal Data Tracker Software
April 18, 2005
Information Memorandum ACYF-IM-CC-05-02: Software to help with Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Data Reporting for Tribal Lead Agencies (ACF-700 Report Form).
Disregard of Monetary Allowances for Certain Children of Vietnam War Veterans
April 17, 2003
Information Memorandum ACYF-IM-CC-03-01: Disregard of Monetary Allowances for Certain Children of Vietnam War Veterans