Congresswoman Torres Fights to Protect Early Childhood Education and Federal Disaster Aid for California Families in FY26 LHHS Bill – Congresswoman Norma Torres (.gov)

Report on Proposed Legislative Amendments Supporting Early Childhood Education and Sustainable Development Goals

Legislative Context and Alignment with Global Goals

On September 10, 2025, two amendments were introduced to the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations bill. These amendments aim to protect and expand investments in early childhood education and child care, directly aligning with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The proposed amendments counter provisions in the underlying bill that would defund programs critical to achieving SDG 4 (Quality Education) by eliminating the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) program, which supports early childhood systems for children aged 0-5.

Amendment 1: Promoting Quality Education (SDG 4) and Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10)

The first amendment proposes to restore funding for the Preschool Development Grant (PDG B-5) program to its previous level of $315 million. This program is the sole federal funding stream dedicated to helping states build and strengthen comprehensive early childhood care and education systems. The restoration of these funds is crucial for progress on multiple SDGs.

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): The amendment directly supports Target 4.2, which aims to ensure all children have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education to prepare them for primary schooling.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By ensuring that states can improve care and education for children under five, the funding helps provide every child, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status, with the foundational tools needed for future success, contributing to Target 10.2.
• SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): A robust early childhood education system enables parents and caregivers to participate more fully in the workforce, promoting economic stability for families and contributing to overall economic growth.

Amendment 2: Building Resilient Communities (SDG 11) and Ensuring Educational Continuity

The second amendment seeks to provide $240 million in emergency supplemental funding for the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG). This funding is designated to help states recover from natural disasters by rebuilding, repairing, or expanding child care facilities destroyed or damaged by events such as the January 2025 wildfires in Southern California. This initiative is vital for building resilient infrastructure and supporting communities in line with the SDGs.

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The proposal directly addresses Target 11.5 by helping communities recover from disasters with a focus on protecting vulnerable populations, such as families with young children, and restoring essential services.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): By rebuilding child care facilities, the amendment ensures the continuity of early childhood education and care in post-disaster scenarios, preventing long-term disruption to child development.
• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Access to reliable child care is critical for the economic empowerment of women, who are often primary caregivers. This funding enables parents, particularly mothers, to return to work and participate in rebuilding their communities.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): The amendment acknowledges the increasing frequency of climate-related disasters and supports the adaptation of essential social infrastructure, such as child care facilities, to enhance community resilience.

Summary of Proposed Actions and SDG Contributions

1. Restore Preschool Development Grant (PDG B-5) Funding

   A restoration of $315 million to the federal program supporting state-level improvements in early childhood care and education systems.

   • Primary SDG Alignment: SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
2. Provide Emergency Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Funding

   A provision of $240 million in federal aid to rebuild and repair child care facilities in states impacted by natural disasters.

   • Primary SDG Alignment: SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The article’s primary focus is on securing funding for early childhood education. The proposed amendment to restore $315 million to the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) program directly supports the goal of providing quality education from the earliest stages of a child’s life. The text states this program is “the only federal funding stream dedicated to helping states build strong early childhood systems for children ages 0 to 5.”

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article addresses the need for resilient community infrastructure by proposing an amendment for “$240 million in emergency supplemental funding for the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to help states… recover from natural disasters that have destroyed or damaged child care facilities.” This directly relates to making communities resilient and ensuring the restoration of essential services like child care after disasters such as the “January 2025 Southern California Wildfires.”

SDG 1: No Poverty

• By ensuring access to child care, especially after disasters, the amendments support families’ economic stability. The article notes that parents need “safe, reliable options so they can work, rebuild, and care for their families.” Access to child care is a critical service that allows parents to maintain employment, which is fundamental to preventing and reducing poverty, particularly for families in vulnerable situations recovering from shocks like natural disasters.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Target 4.2: Ensure access to quality early childhood development and pre-primary education

• This target aims to “ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.” The amendment to restore $315 million to the Preschool Development Grant (PDG B-5) is explicitly designed to achieve this by helping states “build strong early childhood systems” and “strengthening preschool access.”

Target 11.5: Reduce the impact of disasters on people and infrastructure

• This target seeks to “significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses… caused by disasters… with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.” The proposed $240 million in emergency funding to “rebuild, repair, and expand child care facilities in states impacted by natural disasters” directly addresses the restoration of critical infrastructure and basic services, thereby reducing the disaster’s economic and social impact on families.

Target 1.5: Build the resilience of the poor and vulnerable to disasters

• This target focuses on building “the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.” Providing emergency funding for child care facilities after wildfires and floods is a direct measure to build the resilience of affected families, allowing parents to return to work and begin the recovery process, thus reducing their vulnerability to the economic shocks caused by the disaster.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicator for Target 4.2

• The article implies a financial indicator for progress. The proposed amendment to restore the Preschool Development Grant Funding (PDG B-5) to $315 million serves as a direct measure of government commitment and financial input towards strengthening early childhood education systems. This funding level can be used as an indicator of the resources allocated to achieve quality pre-primary education access.

Indicator for Targets 11.5 and 1.5

• The article provides a clear financial indicator for disaster recovery and resilience. The proposed $240 million in emergency supplemental funding for the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is a specific, measurable indicator of the financial resources allocated to rebuild and repair critical infrastructure (child care facilities) and support vulnerable communities after natural disasters. This funding directly measures investment in disaster response and building community resilience.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: torres.house.gov