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Committee discusses $13 million one-time child-care adjustment; members stress no cuts to entitlements
Summary
Committee staff said take-up for an expanded child-care assistance program has been lower than forecast, resulting in a one-time $13 million reduction to reflect lower-than-expected carryforward; members emphasized no current recipients would lose benefits.
Lawmakers on the Health Professions Committee discussed a roughly $13 million one-time change tied to the Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP) during Jan. 27 BAA markup.
Staff explained the expansion of eligibility on Oct. 1 produced uncertain take-up forecasts. A consensus forecasting group that includes Department of Children and Families and fiscal staff assessed uptake and advised a one-time reduction to reflect lower-than-expected engagement. Committee members repeatedly stressed that this adjustment is not a program cut and that individuals currently receiving assistance will not lose benefits; staff described the change as a one-time reconciliation to align appropriations with actual caseloads through the fiscal year end.
Members asked for more materials, including the consensus forecast memo posted to committee documents, and for continued monitoring of payroll-deduction revenue streams that may affect long-term program funding.
