The CCDF Puzzle: Rates, Wait-lists, and the Real Impact

In this episode of Child Care Confidential, Jessica Hampton and Katy Denk unpack the messy reality behind Indiana’s recent cuts to the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF). With COVID relief dollars gone and a $225 million funding shortfall looming, providers and families alike are left scrambling to cover the gap.Jessica and Katy share the letter Indiana providers received, react to controversial comments from state leadership, and break down what reimbursement rate cuts really mean for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. Beyond the numbers, they highlight the ripple effects—on families already struggling to make ends meet, on providers trying to sustain quality care, and on the broader early childhood system.The conversation also lifts up the voices of providers rallying across the state, advocacy resources like HoosierMilestones.org, and the urgent call for collective action. If you’re in Indiana—or any state navigating CCDF changes—you’ll come away with both hard truths and a push to get involved.