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Committee funds $14 million for Idaho Child Care Program and approves Early Learning reorganization moves
Summary
Legislators approved a $14 million one-time appropriation for the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP), accepted a reorganization moving ICCP into Early Learning and Development, and completed a transfer of extended employment services to Medicaid as part of maintenance adjustments.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved a $14,000,000 one-time appropriation for the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP), accepted organizational changes that moved ICCP into a renamed Early Learning and Development division, and finalized budget adjustments to transfer extended employment services from developmental disabilities into Medicaid.
Alex Williamson, Legislative Services budget analyst, told the committee the Early Learning and Development division reflects a reorganization: programs such as ICCP were moved into the new division and extended employment services (EES) will move into the Division of Medicaid. "If I could draw your attention to the percent change from the fiscal year 2025 original appropriation, that captures the move of those funds from one division to another," Williamson said.
The governor had proposed a $15,000,000 initiative funded from underutilized federal childcare dollars available over the next three years; the committee approved $14,000,000 one time and noted the governor’s recommendation would require future separate requests for years two and three of the federal funding window. Analysts said about 70% of the federal grant must be spent on direct services such as contracted child-care slots and direct payments.
The committee also approved a net zero maintenance adjustment moving EES out of Early Learning and into Medicaid; committee members were told the change would be captured across the department and would not change total department-wide appropriations.
Discussion vs. decision - Discussion: Committee members asked about the governor’s initiative, software and procurement planning, and how the federal funds must be spent. Senator Cook urged better upfront requirements for large IT or procurement requests instead of appropriating funds without clear specifications. - Formal action: The committee approved the $14,000,000 one-time ICCP appropriation, a set of program maintenance and enhancement items for the Early Learning division, and a net-zero transfer of extended employment services to Medicaid. The action carried a due-pass recommendation to the Legislature.
Implementation notes Committee members said they expect departments to finalize requirements and procurement plans before seeking further appropriations and flagged reporting and oversight for the one-time $14 million appropriation.
