Iowa child care centers could get federal grants for nights and weekends under Hinson bill

Iowa child care facilities would be able to apply for grant funding to expand existing capacity, adapt existing programs or start new programs to provide day care services outside the traditional 9-to-5 hours and on weekends under legislation reintroduced by U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson.

The Marion Republican said the bill would establish a five-year federal pilot program aimed at helping providers meet the needs of families whose work schedules fall outside standard business hours.

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“I hear consistently from parents about the difficulties they face while trying to find quality, accessible child care that makes sense for their families,” Hinson said in a statement. “This is even harder for parents who don’t work traditional 9-5 hours, like emergency service operators, nurses, first responders, and those in the service industry. These roles are critical to the safety and prosperity of our communities, and we have to make it easier for hardworking Iowans to stay in the workforce while raising a family. As a mom of two, I understand the importance of reliable child care options and remain committed to delivering bipartisan solutions that work for all families.”

The proposal is a reintroduction of legislation she previously advanced in Congress. That earlier version garnered bipartisan backing but did not ultimately reach final passage. A spokesperson said sponsors have since added more specific criteria for grant applications and evaluation requirements for reports to Congress, changes intended to strengthen oversight and accountability.

Hinson reintroduced the legislation alongside a bipartisan group of House lawmakers. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, of Oregon, serves as the Democratic co-lead, with original co-sponsors including Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-New York; Rep. Chris Pappas, D-New Hampshire; Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pennsylvania; and Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wisconsin.

“This piece of legislation had strong bipartisan support last Congress, and we intend to build on that momentum and get it across the finish line,” the spokesperson said. “Ashley will continue pressuring leadership in Washington to advance bipartisan bills like this one that will truly make a difference for working families.”

Under the bill, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would be authorized to reserve up to 0.25 percent of funds appropriated to the Child Care and Development Block Grant program to operate the pilot initiative. Individual awards would range from $25,000 to $500,000 through a competitive grant process administered by HHS, and recipients would be required to provide a 25 percent funding match.

Eligible applicants would include existing child care providers — as defined under current federal law — or partnerships between providers and other entities, including businesses. Grant funds could be used to expand or create after-hours child care capacity, including on-site workplace care, as well as staffing, equipment, planning, licensing and quality improvements outlined in the bill.

Hinson has frequently highlighted the strain child care access places on families. She previously said that one of the first calls she made while pregnant with her second child was to a day care center to ask about availability the following year — a scenario her office says mirrors the experience of many Iowa parents.

Advocacy organizations backing the legislation say it addresses a critical workforce issue.

“Addressing the nation’s child care challenges is essential to supporting working families and maintaining a strong workforce,” said Michele Stockwell, president of Bipartisan Policy Center Action. “Because the needs of families are not one-size-fits-all, we must advance innovative and flexible solutions, especially for those working non-traditional hours. … This legislation is an important step toward expanding access to safe, affordable, high-quality child care and helping parents remain attached to the workforce.”

Sarah Rittling, executive director of the First Five Years Fund, said nearly half U.S. parents work outside the traditional workday.

“Many of these families keep our communities running — working nights and weekends in hospitals, manufacturing plants, restaurants, and public safety — but struggle to find quality care for their own children because providers often lack the staff and resources to stay open during non-traditional hours,” Rittling said.

Hinson said the pilot program is designed to test scalable solutions that could inform broader policy changes, with the goal of keeping parents connected to the workforce while ensuring children have access to safe, reliable care regardless of when their parents work.

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