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JFAC approves $14 million for Idaho Child Care Program, funds start certification and reorg adjustments
Summary
The committee approved a package that includes a $14,000,000 one‑time governor initiative for the Idaho Child Care Program, start certification funding and program reorganization adjustments; it also moved extended employment services to Medicaid.
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 14 approved a multi‑part funding and reorganization package for the Department of Health and Welfare’s new Division of Early Learning and Development, including a $14,000,000 one‑time governor initiative to support the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP).
Senator Bierke moved the FY2026 maintenance and enhancement motion; Representative Galaviz seconded. The motion approved a $249,200 one‑time appropriation for start certification (year 3 of 4), $4,227,000 for the Idaho Child Care Program, a population forecast adjustment that shifts $81,800 from federal to General Fund (net zero), and a $14,000,000 one‑time governor initiative for ICCP. The committee also removed three FTPs and $3,539,100 from the Early Learning and Development budget to move Extended Employment Services into the Division of Medicaid as part of the reorganization; committee staff said that move is part one of two and will net to zero department‑wide when Medicaid’s budget receives the corresponding addition.
Committee discussion noted the governor originally proposed $15,000,000 for the initiative; members reduced that figure to $14,000,000 after asking questions about requirements, software needs and procurement strategy. Senator Cook described the committee’s preference for clearer requirements and vendor pricing before fully funding large IT or software requests; he said the committee trimmed one million dollars where requirements and procurement details were not yet firm.
Committee members also asked about how federal funds, state recovery funds and other grants have fluctuated for child care and related programs. Ms. Williamson explained there are approximately $45 million of federal funds available over several years, and the governor recommended $15M per year as a three‑year plan but the committee treated year 1 as a one‑time appropriation.
The motion passed on a combined roll call (Senate 9 ayes, 1 nay; House 9 ayes, 1 nay) for a total of 18 ayes, 2 nays; it will be forwarded with a due‑pass recommendation. The committee also adopted intent and conditions language that sets parameters for the $14M use and standard committee conditions and limitations.
Next steps: The funding and language will be included in the committee’s packet to the Legislature. The Division of Early Learning and Development and the Department of Health and Welfare will proceed with ICCP spending subject to the committee’s parameters and future procurement requirements.
