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Remove spm_unit_capped_work_childcare_expenses as a hard calibration target #733

@MaxGhenis

Description

@MaxGhenis

spm_unit_capped_work_childcare_expenses is currently a hard national calibration target, but it is a Census SPM survey construct rather than an authoritative administrative total.

Why the current target is weak:

  • Census defines SPM_CAPWKCCXPNS as the SPM unit's capped work and child care expense, with separate survey variables for uncapped child care and uncapped work expenses.
  • This is useful for preserving CPS/SPM alignment, but it is not comparable to admin-backed targets like IRS, SSA, CMS, or HHS program totals.
  • There is no single authoritative administrative total for the combined SPM concept.

Potential replacements / diagnostics:

  • HHS OCC CCDF caseload and expenditure data.
  • TANF child care spending / CCDF transfers from ACF OFA.
  • IRS Form 2441 dependent-care benefits and CDCC totals.

Proposed change:

  • Remove spm_unit_capped_work_childcare_expenses from the hard calibration target set.
  • If we want external anchors here, add component-level diagnostics or soft targets using CCDF, TANF child-care spending, and IRS Form 2441 totals instead of forcing the combined CPS SPM measure.

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