Congressional Agreement to Invest in Children and Families 

Save the Children and Save the Children Action Network Welcome Congressional Agreement to Invest in Children and Families Through Fiscal 2026 

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (February 3, 2026) — Save the Children and its political advocacy arm, Save the Children Action Network (SCAN), welcome congressional passage of full-year appropriations for the U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services and key foreign assistance accounts through the end of fiscal year 2026 in September. Passage sends a clear message that helping children survive and thrive – at home and around the world – is a moral imperative and central to America’s strength, security and future. 

Domestic investments in kids increase slightly 

The package includes modestly increased investments in programs that help children learn, grow and stay safe, including Head Start and the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), along with level funding for Promise Neighborhoods and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Together, these programs play a critical role in supporting working families, strengthening communities and expanding opportunities for children, especially in rural and underserved areas. 

“By passing this spending package, Congress is reaffirming that children and families are a national priority,” said Christy Gleason, Chief Policy Officer for Save the Children. “These investments in early learning, child care and community support reflect the role lawmakers play in building a stronger, more secure future for our country, one child and one family at a time.” 

“This funding means more children can start school ready to learn, more parents can go to work knowing their kids are in safe and supportive environments, and more communities can continue building pathways to opportunity,” SCAN Acting Deputy Diana Onken said. “For hardworking families in rural areas and communities across the country, these programs represent lifelines that help kids grow, families stay afloat and local economies stay strong.” 

The funding agreement: 

• Provides $12.4 billion for Head Start and Early Head Start, a $170 million increase over fiscal 2025, supporting more children’s access to early learning, health screenings and family services. 

• Provides $8.8 billion for CCDBG, an $85 million increase, helping more working families afford safe, reliable child care. 

• Maintains level funding for 21^st Century Community Learning Centers, Promise Neighborhoods and Preschool Development Grants, which strengthen academic support, family engagement and community pathways to opportunity. 

• Provides $810.4 million for programs under the Community Services Block Grant Act, supporting local agencies that help families meet basic needs and build stability. 

• Includes additional education investments, including $20 million more for special education, $5 million more for Impact Aid and $5 million more for rural education. 

Foreign assistance funding shows Congress’ continued support  

The funding package includes the National Security and State Department appropriations bill, which plays a critical role in protecting children in crisis, strengthening global health and improving stability in fragile communities worldwide.  

“The way we invest in children reflects who we are as a nation and how we show up in the world,” Gleason said. “Strong, transparent and effective assistance helps to save lives, prevent conflict and displacement, and creates the conditions for children and families to build safer, healthier futures.” 

The bill provides approximately $50 billion to fund diplomacy, development and humanitarian response. It continues investments that help children and their families in maternal and child health and nutrition at current levels and includes important funding to strengthen global food security, so families can feed themselves. It also includes $5.4 billion in funding through the International Humanitarian Assistance account to support children and families affected by conflict and disasters, which is unfortunately a 37% cut from funding appropriated in the last fiscal year. With more than 520 million children living in conflict affected areas, 251 million children out of school, and 4.9 million children under five dying from preventable causes each year, we urge Congress and the Administration to act now for kids.

“For families facing hunger, displacement or conflict, these investments can mean the difference between surviving a crisis and being left behind,” Gleason said. “As Congress asserts its role in shaping foreign assistance, it’s critical that children remain at the center.  Protecting the most vulnerable children across the globe is a moral imperative and an investment in global stability and a safer and more prosperous world for children everywhere.” 

Save the Children and SCAN advocated for robust funding in the 2026 appropriations bills for programs that benefit children and hardworking families, both in the United States and globally. We will continue working with leaders on both sides of the aisle to protect and strengthen investments in children, ensuring that every child, no matter where they live, has the chance to reach their full potential. 

Learn more about SCAN here: https://savethechildrenactionnetwork.org/