Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, our nation faced a child care crisis for working families with an estimated $57 billion in lost earnings, revenue, and productivity. This was only exacerbated by COVID-19 as many workers, and women in particular, were forced out of the workforce. Access to consistent, high quality childcare is a prerequisite for workforce participation. The most widely used form of child care in America is family, friend and neighbor (FFN) child care. Most states allow FFN caregivers to be legally license exempt, or legally nonlicensed, meaning they are not required to pursue licensure to serve the (usually smaller) number of children they care for. FFN is the care that supports families when centers close, when school is out, and when mom works late. It is also the care that gets the fewest resources and support. Rebuilding a thriving economy will depend on strengthening FFN child care. (author abstract)