KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri will receive $66 million for child care assistance under the federal CARES Act, according to Gov. Mike Parson.
There also will be temporary changes in eligibility guidelines that will make it possible “for more low-income families to qualify for child care assistance,” Parson said during a press conference on Wednesday.
Jennifer Tidball, acting director of the Department of Social Services, said the funding will support the Show Me Strong Recovery Plan, as well as child care providers who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Under the child care plan, low-income families searching for work will be eligible for a 90-day child care benefit,” Tidball said.
The temporary benefit will be available through December 2020.
Tidball also said that through August 2020, families that have an income of 215 percent of the poverty level “with a documented child care need” will have access to a “transitional child care subsidy benefit.”
Child care providers also are supported, according to Tidball. Providers that are open to “provide services to essential employees” are eligible for a one-time payment based on the number of children.
Payments range from $1,000 for providers caring for less than 10 children to $7,500 for providers caring for more than 200 children, Tidball said.
