Parents in Job Training Get Childcare Help: $10 Million Grant Program to Cover Costs

The Parental Workforce Training Act is a straight shot at one of the biggest hurdles facing parents trying to level up their careers: finding and affording childcare while they’re back in school or training. This bill establishes a new, competitive grant program managed by the Secretary of Labor, specifically setting aside $10 million to help cover these costs.

Local workforce development boards are the gatekeepers here. They will compete for these grants and then distribute the money directly to eligible parents in their area. The whole point is to make sure that if you’re a parent with dependent kids and you’re enrolled in an “employment and training activity”—which uses the same definitions as the existing Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)—you can get financial help for childcare. Think of it as a supportive service that removes the choice between paying for a babysitter and paying for a certification course.

The Real-World Check: Who Gets the Help?

This bill aims to make a tangible difference for working families. For example, if you’re a single parent currently working an hourly job but want to enroll in a six-month evening coding bootcamp or a daytime HVAC certification program, the cost of childcare during those training hours often makes the whole thing a non-starter. This grant money is specifically designed to bridge that gap. The best part? The bill allows eligible individuals to choose any childcare provider as long as that provider meets all applicable state and local quality and safety laws. This choice is key, especially for parents who rely on providers with non-traditional hours or those who need specific care arrangements.

The Rollout and Accountability

The Department of Labor has a clear mandate: award these grants to local boards within one year of the law being enacted. This sets a reasonably quick timeline for getting the funds flowing. Because this is a pilot program, the bill includes a crucial accountability measure. The Secretary must report back to Congress within one year of the first grant awards, detailing how the money affected parents' enrollment and, more importantly, their completion rates in the training programs. This is smart—it focuses the program on outcomes, not just participation.

The Fine Print: What’s Not Covered?

While the $10 million appropriation is a great start, it’s a finite pot of money. Since the grants are competitive, not every local workforce board will get funding, meaning parents in certain regions might miss out entirely. Furthermore, the program is tightly focused on parents who are actively engaged in training. If you’re a parent struggling with childcare costs but not currently enrolled in a WIOA-defined training activity, this specific grant program won't help you. Still, for parents trying to skill up for better jobs, this act provides targeted, practical relief by tackling the childcare barrier head-on.