The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) told program leaders at a Spanish-language information session that recent updates to the C3 grant will affect center-based providers starting with November applications.

EEC said the C3 formula itself — license-capacity, a base payment and an equity adjustment — is unchanged. But officials warned that award amounts can shift when a program’s most recent 12‑month enrollment or income differs from what was reported previously, and they urged providers to submit November applications promptly because that submission will “establish a fixed amount” for the next 12 months.

“Vamos a adicionar una declaración nueva por reglamentos de ley que requiere que cada 1 de los programas que están recibiendo C3 … demuestren … que están dispuestos a ingresar a niños que están recibiendo CCFA,” an unidentified presenter said, introducing what the department described as a legal/regulatory statement programs must complete in the application. The department said more application text and guidance will be available in the online form and the presentation materials.

EEC also told attendees that for center-based programs there is now an expectation that 50% of awarded C3 funds be applied to workforce or labor investments. Alicia, identifying herself as a commissioner during the session, described those investments as “salarios, beneficios y otros apoyos para el recubrimiento y también para retención,” and said they include professional development and other staff supports. “Este requerimiento… asegura que el 50 por 100 de lo que se otorga se está haciendo a través de inversiones laborales,” Alicia said.

Department staff said EEC will provide technical assistance to help programs meet the new fund-use expectations. Alicia urged programs to review all revenue sources — federal, state and private — and to work with organizational leaders and CPAs to determine which funds can be applied to workforce investments and to identify any contractual restrictions. EEC scheduled training and technical-assistance sessions in 2026.

Officials also said access to C3 for new providers is managed quarterly based on available funds; new provider participation will be assessed at the end of the quarter. Department presenters noted total funding constraints and said the department will continue public outreach before any further changes.

What happens if a program refuses the declaration? Vice Commissioner Tairis Nicolás said the department will make the declaration a condition of participation: “Si los programas dicen no, entonces ya no van a estar en el programa de C3, o sea, no va a recibir fondos de C3 … ya que es un requisito legal.” She added that programs can request an administrative review if they face barriers to participation.

The department promised to share slides and a recording of the session and to continue accepting questions in the chat and by email.

The immediate next step for programs is to submit a November application to lock the award amount for the following 12 months and to attend EEC’s announced technical-assistance sessions if they need help complying with the new fund-use expectations.