How the Trump administration's freeze on childcare funding will affect families

By A Martínez

Published January 2, 2026 at 4:50 AM EST

NPR's A Martinez asks Cindy Lehnhoff, director of the National Child Care Association, about the Trump administration's freeze on federal funding to help low-income families pay for child care.

Related Content

U.S. interventions in Latin America and the Caribbean haven't always gone as planned

Scott Neuman

President Trump's pressure campaign against Venezuela is the latest in a long saga of U.S. intervention in the region that is rooted in the 1823 Monroe Doctrine — and is a mix of success and failure.
AI data centers use a lot of electricity. How it could affect your power bill

Keith Romer

AI data centers require incredible amounts of energy to run. NPR's Planet Money investigates how that demand for power might affect your electric bills.
Right-wing influencer's fraud claim leads to threats for Somali day care owners

Brian Mann, Michel Martin

A right-wing media influencer accused Somali day care operators in Minnesota of defrauding the federal government. This has led to threats against staff and a federal child care funding freeze.
In newly released testimony, Jack Smith defends his investigations into Trump

Scott Detrow, Luke Garrett

Former special counsel Jack Smith spoke with lawmakers behind closed doors in December. That testimony is now public.
California study has lessons for efforts to protect workers from excessive heat

Alejandra Borunda

A new study finds that California's rules protecting workers from excessive heat likely save dozens of lives every year. This comes as the federal government considers national heat-protection rules.

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.