The FOCUS Act (Focus on Committed and Underpaid Staff for Children’s Sake Act)

The FOCUS Act, sponsored by Senator Dodd (D-Conn.) in the Senate and Representatives Miller (D-Calif.), Gilman (R-NY), Sanders (I-Verm.) and Kildee (D-Mich.) in the House, establishes the Child Care Provider Retention and Development Grant Program and the Child Care Provider Scholarship Grant Program.

If passed, the FOCUS Act would provide $5 billion over five years to the states for the purpose of attracting and retaining qualified child care providers. Participation in the program would be open to full-time and part-time staff working with children in licensed child care centers, Head Start, family child care homes and school-age programs.

View the FOCUS bill in its entirety (PDF)