Missouri Child Care Providers Face Payment Backlog

Child care providers in Missouri and Texas are facing severe financial hardships due to significant delays in state subsidy payments, largely attributed to a new Child Care Data System (CCDS) launched in December 2023. In Missouri, providers, including Julita Harris and Cheryl Howard, testified before the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee about accruing debts and operational challenges, with many reportedly on the brink of closure. The backlog affects over 3,000 providers, with officials estimating a resolution by mid-October, though skepticism remains about the timeframe. Meanwhile, in Texas, a legislative committee highlighted a waiting list of over 80,000 children for financial assistance, stressing that stabilizing the child care sector is crucial for the economy. Experts urge urgent policy discussions to address these issues before the upcoming legislative session in January. Lawmakers in both states are under pressure to act as families and providers alike face dire consequences from the reimbursement delays.