The Child Care Bureau serves as the principal advisor to the Director on issues regarding child care programs. It has primary responsibility for the operation of child care programs authorized under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act and section 418 of the Social Security Act. It develops legislative, regulatory and budgetary proposals; presents operational planning objectives and initiatives related to child care to the Office of the Director; and oversees the progress of approved activities. It provides leadership and coordination for child care within the Administration for Children and Families. It provides leadership and linkages with other agencies on child care issues including agencies within HHS, relevant agencies across the federal, state, local governments and tribal governments, and non-governmental organizations at the federal, state and local levels.

The Policy Division develops, interprets and issues national policies and regulations governing Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) programs. The Policy Division provides clarification of the statutes, regulation and policies; issues action transmittals and information memoranda; recommends and drafts legislative proposals; prepares briefing materials for hearings and testimony; updates the child care plan preprints; reviews and gives guidance to Regional Offices on CCDF plans and applications; oversees a data base of grantee plans; researches child care policy issues; coordinates policies and procedures with other Federal agencies; provides policy training, guidance and clarification to Regional Offices in carrying out policy functions; and manages controlled correspondence.

The Program Operations Division is responsible for Regional Liaison activities, including; communication on a regular basis with Regional Office staff; responding to questions on policy and other issues by consulting or referring to other staff; tracking progress of grantee programs in coordination with the Regions; collecting and maintaining information related to grantee program implementation, administrative data, technical assistance data, and technical assistance efforts, tracking program achievements, problems, and gaps; identifying latest trends and activities of major significance; preparing background material, fact sheets, and articles to provide information to Regional Office, grantees and the general public; and tracking and supporting special initiatives. This unit also establishes partnerships with public and private entities to improve access to quality child care; coordinate program activities with other government and non-government agencies; and manages and oversees the Bureau's cooperative ventures with other entities.

The Technical Assistance Division provides technical assistance to Regional Offices, States, Territories and Tribes concerning CCDF in order to make affordable quality child care accessible to families. It provides leadership, coordination and contract management for technical assistance projects that comprise the Child Care Technical Assistance Network. This unit also oversees and supports national conferences, leadership forums and Regional Office conferences. It oversees the development of technical assistance materials including publications.