Permanent improvements to the CDCTC and investments in direct child care assistance will help rebuild a more equitable economy for women and families. Women, especially single parents, continue to bear the bulk of responsibility for care of children and dependents. They have also been disproportionately devastated by the COVID-19 health and economic crisis, and the resulting shock to the child care industry. Permanently improving the federal CDCTC would help women meet the child care costs they incur to support themselves and their families. But these permanent improvements to the CDCTC must be paired with a significant additional investment in direct child care assistance in order to build a child care system that meets the needs of children, families, and the child care workforce. (author abstract)