Action:
Changes to the Child Care Subsidy Program Regulations to Comply with Items from the FY2026 Budget
Action 6827
General Information
| Action Summary |
Virginia’s FY26 Budget include two important policy shifts for the Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP) that will help maximize state and federal funding for child care assistance: 1. Revising the family copayment scale such that most families will contribute 5% of family income, with no family paying more than 5% of income. Families below the poverty level will owe $5/child monthly. 2. Limiting the amount of time that families are eligible for CCSP services while looking for work to 90 days, with up to one 90-day extension for extraordinary circumstances.
Collectively, these policy shifts will enable ~2,400 additional children to be served off waitlists in FY26. As of July 2025, the CCSP waitlist currently exceeds 13,000 children, including more than 8,000 birth-to-five children in working families. Town Hall Agency Background Document Form: TH-09 2 In 2024, the Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education, which includes legislators, early childhood educators and administrators, business leaders, state and local government, and parents, produced policy recommendations to maximize state dollars and serve additional families. In its December 2024 report, the Commission recommended considering both policy shifts.
The proposed changes to the regulations will bring 8VAC20-790 (Child Care Program) into alignment with these directives in the budget. |
| Chapters Affected |
Only affects this chapter.
|
| Executive Branch Review |
This Action is exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act, but falls within the Executive Branch and
will be reviewed by the Governor's Office.
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| RIS Project |
Yes [8370] |
| New Periodic Review |
This action will not be used to conduct a new periodic review.
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Stages
Stages associated with this regulatory action.
| Stage ID |
Stage Type |
Status |
|
10890
|
Final
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Stage complete. Becomes effective on 11/19/2025. |
Contact Information
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Name / Title:
|
Jim Chapman
/
Director of Board Relations
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Address:
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James Monroe Bldg.
101 N. 14th St., 25th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
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Email Address:
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jim.chapman@doe.virginia.gov
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Phone:
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(804)750-8750
FAX: ()-
TDD: ()-
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This person is the primary contact for this agency.
