VA Gov. Youngkin Proposes Increased State Spending on Child Care Programs

The 'Building Blocks for Virginia Families' initiative aims to prevent families from losing coverage as federal pandemic-era funds end.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has proposed a budget plan that prioritizes early learning and child care programs, aiming to increase state spending on these initiatives over the next two fiscal years.
The proposal, called 'Building Blocks for Virginia Families', is designed to ensure that the end of federal pandemic-era funds doesn't leave families without coverage, which could start happening from March 2024.
The budget plan, which will be presented to state lawmakers on December 20, includes over $448 million in spending in each fiscal year for the initiative, representing an increase of $180 million from current levels.
The funding will help ensure low-income working families currently receiving public funding support continue to do so, and will also direct $25 million to a capital fund aimed at reducing child care deserts and allocate $10 million per year for 'direct-to-child care education incentives' aimed at alleviating teacher shortages.
Youngkin's proposal is expected to undergo substantial revisions next year when Democrats are set to control both General Assembly chambers, but it serves as a starting point for negotiations and offers a roadmap of the governor's priorities.