Unfinished agenda: Child care for low-income families since 1996 -- Implications for federal and state policy

Despite significant increases in child care funding and the number of children served since 1996, much unmet need remains for child care assistance and early learning opportunities. In addition, deteriorating economic conditions and budget crises in many states are jeopardizing recent child care gains. This report represents the results of a project that the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) conducted with organizations in Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Texas, and Washington State to examine the experiences of low-income parents, child care providers, and state child care systems. It synthesizes findings from five separately published reports and puts them into a national context.