The COVID-19 pandemic exposed several underlying challenges in the child care system and led to historic investments in child care and early education. Congress provided funding opportunities to help families and the industry gain relief. These federal funds also offer states some room to improve America’s child care system, addressing structural needs like access to care and providers’ compensation, as part of their recovery plans. The state actions included in this brief highlight some of the impactful strategies states across the country are using to provide relief and recovery for child care providers and families with young children. These approaches are also moving the system toward equity and expanding access to child care. (author abstract)