Thompson, Committee Expand Child Care

State Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) joined fellow members of the State Budget Committee in approving an additional $200 million to expand access to child care for low-income families.

The State Budget Committee approved the proposal at its meeting Thursday to allocate additional funding for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) voucher program. During the 2026 legislative session, the General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act 4, which Thompson co-sponsored, allowing the state to augment funds from the Financial Responsibility and Opportunity Growth (FROG) Fund for the CCDF program. This funding could help the state resume enrollment for CCDF vouchers by an estimated 14,000 children.

“Many parents rely on child care so they can work, further their education and financially support their families,” Thompson said. “Having access to reliable and affordable child care is essential to building our workforce and communities. This additional funding will give more Hoosiers who need it most the ability to pursue their goals.”

Indiana’s CCDF is a federally supported program that currently assists about 43,000 children statewide, with eligibility based on household income and employment criteria. Additional enrollment would prioritize siblings of current voucher holders, infants and children between 3-5 years old. A set of exemptions will be created for children of foster and kinship families, children with special needs, homeless children, children of child care workers and children of Ivy Tech students.

Thompson also supported House Enrolled Act 1177 this session to expand the state’s employer child care tax credit, encouraging more employers to offer child care options to employees.

According to the most recent state data, capacity at regulated child care facilities has increased over the past year, with capacity currently at 174,400 children.

Thompson represents House District 28, which includes portions of Boone, Hendricks and Montgomery counties.