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JFAC funds $14 million for Idaho Child Care Program, finalizes Early Learning reorganization moves
Summary
The committee approved one‑time funding for the Idaho Child Care Program, adopted the governor’s initiative parameters and completed reorganization moves that shift the Idaho Child Care Program into the Early Learning and Development division and move extended employment services to Medicaid.
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee approved a one‑time appropriation of $14,000,000 for the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP) as part of a governor’s initiative and completed budget language and reorganization moves that place ICCP inside the Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Early Learning and Development.
Analyst Alex Williamson told the committee there are roughly $45,000,000 in federal funds available over the next three years and the governor’s recommendation proposes $15,000,000 per year but that the committee was considering a $14,000,000 one‑time appropriation for FY2026. The governor’s initiative requires roughly 70 percent of the grant to be spent on direct services (contracted slots and child care payments) and includes caps on administrative costs and set‑asides for quality and infant services.
Motion and totals: Senator Bierke moved a package that, among other maintenance and reorganization items, included a one‑time $14,000,000 appropriation for ICCP; the committee’s motion recorded a net reduction of 3 FTE and a department‑wide net zero once extended employment services moves to Medicaid are completed. The motion passed; the committee later adopted related on‑screen language that sets objectives for how the $14,000,000 should be used.
Reorganization and fund movement: the budget maintenance work moving ICCP from the Division of Welfare into the renamed Division of Early Learning and Development was finalized during the hearing. Extended Employment Services (EES) was moved from Developmental Disabilities Services into the Division of Medicaid; the committee’s actions backed the funds out of Early Learning now and will add them under Medicaid in a subsequent budget action so the department‑wide net effect is zero.
Ending: The committee adopted spending parameters and conditions for the $14 million and approved the organizational moves necessary to align ICCP under Early Learning and move EES to Medicaid; these actions will be forwarded with due‑pass recommendations.
