FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   Thursday, December 14, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: emily.richardt@state.sd.us or 605.773.3165 

DSS to Change Child Care Assistance Payment Policies

PIERRE – The Department of Social Services will be implementing policy changes to the Child Care Assistance (CCA) Program in order to better support families and South Dakota child care providers.

 The change, which begins Jan. 1, 2024, will better align Child Care Assistance payments with provider enrollment-based business practices. Providers will now receive full authorized payments regardless of temporary changes in child attendance.

“We recognize the financial burden child care expenses impose, especially for low-income families,” DSS Cabinet Secretary Matt Althoff said. “We want to ensure that the Child Care Assistance program serves both families and providers in a way that can provide predictable payments that ease budgeting as well as the administrative burdens of program participation.”

Child Care Assistance provides financial support for low-income families to assist with child care expenses while they work and/or attend school. Payments are made directly to child care providers and are based on a family’s work and/or school schedule.

“This change is part of an ongoing effort to reduce barriers to Child Care Assistance participation,” Althoff said. “We will continue to look towards opportunities afforded through system modernization.”

To access information about the Child Care Assistance Program, visit: https://dss.sd.gov/childcare/childcareassistance

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The South Dakota Department of Social Services is dedicated to strengthening families to foster health, wellbeing, and independence. For more information, please visit dss.sd.gov.