DSS Implements a Waiting List for Child Care Services

March 12, 2010 – Cabarrus County Department of Social Services (DSS) now has a waiting list of approximately 61 families for children’s daycare slots. DSS provides qualified families with assistance for daycare costs in order to allow a parent to secure and maintain a job.

The waiting list comes as a result of reduced funding allocations from the state. The state’s funding estimate for Cabarrus County’s fiscal year 2011 (beginning July 1) child care subsidy is lower than the total fund allocations issued this fiscal year. In addition, Cabarrus County DSS currently has an overage of this year’s allocated funds and must reduce those costs by June in order to balance the budget.

DSS staff is aggressively reviewing cases to identify families who are no longer eligible for the child care subsidy and have not reported their changes, such as job status or additional income. DSS expects that this quarterly review will result in the majority of subsidy terminations needed to reduce the current monthly spending and resolve the over–spending projection.

The waiting list will remain in effect until the numbers of children in care along with the monthly costs for care are lower than the current spending allocation to ensure that the enrollment and funding allocations will be sustainable throughout the next fiscal year.

“While a waiting list is not what we desire for the children in need of care within our community, it has become necessary. We are hopeful that this will be the avenue that allows us to meet the budget limitations without having to terminate active children from care whose families continue to be eligible for services,” said Ben Rose, director of Cabarrus County Department of Social Services. “That could result in costing them their jobs, and that certainly is not the goal. We will continue to closely manage the existing active cases in an effort to free up any available child care slots, and will consistently manage the waiting list to keep it current with parent and family information to provide a true picture of need for services in the community.”

Parents or caretakers who are interested in the Subsidized Child Care Services are encouraged to contact DSS either by phone at 704-920-1400 or by a personal visit to the agency between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday. A child care worker will gather the necessary information needed for the waiting list process, including the basis for their need, and place them on the waiting list accordingly. DSS has required policy in place, approved by the state’s Division of Child Development that determines waiting list priority for children.