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JFAC approves Idaho Child Care Program funding and reorganization moves ICCP into Early Learning and Development
Summary
The committee approved organizational changes that move the Idaho Child Care Program into a renamed Early Learning and Development division, approved a $14 million governor initiative for ICCP (one-time), and completed a transfer of extended employment services to Medicaid.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 14 approved several reorganizational and funding actions to create a stand-alone Early Learning and Development division that includes the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP), and approved a $14,000,000 one-time governor's initiative to support ICCP program objectives.
Alex Williamson, budget and policy analyst, walked members through a reorganization that moved the ICCP from the Division of Welfare into the newly named Early Learning and Development budget and relocated community developmental-disability (DD) and extended employment services to the Division of Medicaid. The reorganization shifted roughly $57 million in base funding into the new division (a bookkeeping move that affects percent-change calculations).
On enhancements, the committee approved start-certification funding and a governor's initiative for the ICCP. While the governor originally recommended $15,000,000, the committee acted on a one-time $14,000,000 appropriation for FY2026 for ICCP objectives tied to direct services and quality improvements; about 70% of the federal grants that would be used must go to direct services per the federal rules discussed by staff. The committee also approved reductions tied to moving extended employment services into Medicaid—those will be mirrored as increases under the Medicaid budget when considered later so the department-wide impact is net zero.
Senator Cook and others asked for clearer requirements and procurement/scoping work before larger software or systems purchases; committee members said they reduced some funding where requirements were not fully scoped. The motion passed as presented; final committee tally reported 18 ayes, 2 nays, 0 absent (combined committee totals as recorded in the hearing). The committee also adopted motion language on parameters for the $14,000,000 and included conditions, limitations and restrictions language as usual.
Committee staff clarified that the grant funding available over three years totals about $45 million of federal funds, and the committee set parameters for the first-year award as one-time funding; future years would require separate action.
The committee forwarded the package with a due-pass recommendation to the floor.
