State Begins Reaching Out to Child Care Waitlist
Tennessee's Smart Steps program is now contacting families on its child care assistance waitlist, with about 150 already receiving help.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Child Care
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Last month, Tennessee began contacting families on the Smart Steps child care assistance waitlist, and about 150 families are now receiving assistance at a child care provider. Smart Steps serves parents who work or attend school and earn up to 85% of the state median income.
Why it matters
Smart Steps is funded primarily by federal dollars, and its federal funding fell from $319 million in 2024 to $276 million last year, a drop that contributed to the lengthy waitlist. Average center-based infant care costs roughly $1,094 a month, making subsidized slots a significant factor for working families across Tennessee.
Smart Steps federal funding dropped from $319 million in 2024 to $276 million last year, while the state median income used for eligibility is $70,236. The total number of families still waiting for assistance has not been disclosed.
The players
Tennessee Department of Human Services
The state agency that administers the Smart Steps child care assistance program and its eligibility and waitlist processes.
The details
Tennessee contacts waitlisted families, who must provide proof of income, residency, work, school or training, identification, and child information. Families must respond within two weeks of the state's contact, and the state is prioritizing military families, families experiencing homelessness, and children in protective services.
Timeline
2024: Smart Steps federal funding stood at $319 million.
Last year (2025): Federal funding fell to $276 million.
Last month (October 2026): The state began contacting families on the waitlist.
Two weeks after state contact: Families must respond to the state.
Seasonal Patterns
Tennessee's Smart Steps funding shift tracks the federal Child Care and Development Fund, which supplies most of the program's dollars. The drop from $319 million to $276 million reflects how state child care assistance rises and falls with federal appropriations.
Families on the Smart Steps waitlist must respond within two weeks once the state contacts them, so keeping contact information current matters. Parents should gather proof of income, residency, work or school enrollment, identification, and child information before the state reaches out.
The takeaway
Parents who work or attend school and earn up to 85% of the state median income should check whether they are on the Smart Steps waitlist and keep their contact details up to date. Acting quickly on outreach can keep a spot in line for subsidized care.
Further reading
Explore more on child care assistance programs across Tennessee.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF).
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