Welcome to Child Care Confidential!

In this episode, Jessica Hampton and Katie Denk dive deep into the recent CCDF cuts in Indiana and what they really mean for families, providers, and kids. We're not just talking numbers—we’re sharing real stories, the tough decisions we've had to make, and the impact these changes are having on our community.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• What the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) is and how it works
• The reality behind Indiana’s sudden CCDF funding cuts
• How providers and families are coping—and what’s at stake
• The truth about state budgets, surplus funds, and broken promises
• Real stories from the front lines: closures, layoffs, and families in crisis
• Practical advice for parents and providers navigating these changes
• Why your voice matters, and how you can join the fight for quality child care

Whether you’re a parent, provider, educator, or advocate, this episode is for you. We’re building a community that supports each other through the challenges—and we want to hear from you!

👉 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on the latest episodes and join our growing community of child care champions.

💬 Share YOUR Story HERE or in the comments! How have these changes affected you? Let’s support each other and make our voices heard!

Stay connected:

• Follow us for more honest conversations, resources, and updates
• Share this video with anyone who cares about the future of child care in Indiana

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Together, we can make a difference. Thanks for listening and being part of the Child Care Confidential family!

😬 Ever met a Jaron? (Think “Karen”… but with a Jessica twist.)

In our next episode of Childcare Confidential, we’re diving straight into the stories you can’t make up—the wild, the petty, and the all-too-real moments from life in childcare.

🎙️ Join Jessica Hampton and Katy Denk as we unpack what happens when scenarios and how not to be a Jaron about it.

👉 Hit play, laugh with us, and maybe cringe a little too. Childcare is messy—and we’re finally talking about it out loud.

🎧 Listen now & subscribe so you don’t miss the next one!!

#ChildcareConfidential #ECE #ChildcarePodcast #HotTakeSnackBreak

In this episode of Childcare Confidential, Jessica Hampton and Katy Denk break down the complicated world of the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF)—and the storm it’s creating for families and providers.

💸 What happens when states run out of money?
📝 Why are waitlists growing at alarming rates?
🏫 How do these funding gaps affect the providers who keep our communities going?

COVID relief dollars are gone, budgets are being slashed, and the cracks in the system are widening. Jessica and Katy cut through the jargon to show what these changes actually mean on the ground—for parents trying to work and for child care centers fighting to stay open.

🎙️ Whether you’re a provider, parent, or policymaker, this episode will give you an unfiltered look at why child care funding is at a tipping point—and what’s at stake if things don’t change.

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.