Establishes a pilot program to provide reimbursements for nutritious meals to children in organized child care programs.

The Child Care Innovation Advancement Act of 2026 amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to create a pilot program for organized child care programs. These programs, operating in non-residential sites, can receive reimbursements for nutritious meals provided to children. The pilot program includes strict accountability requirements, annual audits by the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture, and a prohibition on funding for programs with unresolved audit findings. The pilot program will run for five years, after which an evaluation will be submitted to Congress.

Establishes a pilot program to provide reimbursements for nutritious meals to children in organized child care programs.

The Child Care Innovation Advancement Act of 2026 amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to create a pilot program for organized child care programs. These programs, operating in non-residential sites, can receive reimbursements for nutritious meals provided to children. The pilot program includes strict accountability requirements, annual audits by the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture, and a prohibition on funding for programs with unresolved audit findings. The pilot program will run for five years, after which an evaluation will be submitted to Congress.