Over the past 3 years some programs that were participating in Strengthening Families chose to no longer participate. They found they could support families in the same way by fully utilizing the Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP). In addition, one program closed. As the number of programs decreased the number of children in all of Strengthening Families decreased. In July 2018, a new round of Strengthening Families grants were put into place, with 24 grantees. This is a smaller number of grantees than in the past, which is one of the factors of why fewer children were served in FY19. In March 2020 Vermont experienced a child care closure due to COVID-19. Since the closure the number of families using any child care in the state has decreased, including the enrollment at Strengthening Families grantee programs.