To listen to the interview with Missouri Office of Childhood (OOC) Assistant Commissioner Pam Thomas, click here. (13:03)

 

Missouri says it expects to finish its backlog of childcare subsidy payments by the end of this month for family and provider applications, as well as provider payment reviews. The state anticipates completion of payment corrections by the end of February.

The backlog of providers and families waiting several months for payments happened after Missouri launched a new childcare data system in December 2023 and several technical problems were discovered. According to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), subsidy payments are currently being processed correctly each day for providers’ attendance claims since fixing a payment calculator in the system in summer 2024.

DESE said about 22,000 children and 2,000 providers actively participate in Missouri’s childcare subsidy program. The payments are for low-income, special needs, and foster children.

“DESE understands the important role the subsidy program plays in the childcare industry and the value the program provides to Missouri’s workforce,” said Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger. “The OOC team will not stop until all provider payments are reviewed, and resolution requests are processed accordingly.”

World Wide Technology in St. Louis and MTX Group were awarded the contract for the new system.

“The teams addressing the system issues and working the backlog have made great progress — the additional resources and strategies we put in place last year are working,” said Office of Childhood Assistant Commissioner Pam Thomas. “We have not yet met all the goals of this project, but we are getting close. We continue to express our gratitude to families, providers, and other stakeholders for their patience.”

Some providers reportedly closed because of payment delays – also putting some families in a bind. The timing of the glitches happens while Missouri deals with a severe shortage of quality, affordable childcare providers.

Previous reporting:

Emails show Missouri leader pleads with vendors to fix childcare payment system problems: https://www.missourinet.com/2024/10/01/emails-show-missouri-leader-pleads-with-vendors-to-fix-childcare-payment-system-problems/

Legislative hearing to discuss Missouri childcare payment glitches (LISTEN): https://www.missourinet.com/2024/09/06/legislative-hearing-to-discuss-missouri-childcare-payment-glitches-listen/

Missouri Board of Education discusses childcare payment delays: https://www.missourinet.com/2024/08/06/missouri-board-of-education-discusses-childcare-payment-delays/

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