During his briefing on COVID-19 on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, Governor Mike Parson announced $64 million in child care funding to ensure child care providers can support the needs of Missouri working families, especially those with low incomes during COVID-19.

Governor Parson said as Governor, he is committed to finding innovative ways to help Missouri working families.

Wednesday’s announcement includes a new $2.5 million grant opportunity for child care providers across the state. Child care providers may apply for a grant of up to $25,000 to support the needs of school age children who are virtually learning while in their care.

To help offset income loss due to low attendance during COVID-19, $12 million will be provided to fund 20 percent rate differential payments from January through May 2021 for Child Care Subsidy Program providers not currently receiving disproportionate share rate differential payments.

Today’s announcement also includes continuation of several vital child care benefits for low-income Missourians:

• An additional $10.9 million will fund a temporary Child Care Subsidy benefit (up to 60 days) from January through May 2021 for low-income Missouri families unemployed due to COVID-19 while they look for work. This is a one-time benefit for Missouri parents.
• $12.8 million will fund Transitional Child Care Subsidy benefits through December 2021 for parents who work, attend school, or train for work with an income from 138 to 215 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), even if they previously did not qualify for the Child Care Subsidy program. Missouri families qualifying for a Transitional Child Care Subsidy benefit receive an 80 percent subsidy benefit if their income is between 138 to 176 percent of the FPL or a 60 percent subsidy benefit if their income is from 177 to 215 percent of the FPL.
• $8.5 million will fund fulltime child care subsidy benefits through May 2021 for working parents with eligible school-aged students who are not attending in person.

“Governor Parson has been extremely supportive of quality child care for all Missouri families, and especially now during COVID-19,” said Missouri Department of Social Services Acting Director Jennifer Tidball. “We know this additional funding is very welcome news to our families and those child care providers who are keeping children safe while parents work.”

Missourians in need of information on Child Care Subsidy, Food Stamp, Medicaid, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefit programs can visit dss.mo.gov.