The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) continues its commitment to supporting working families by offering the Child Care Scholarship Program. This initiative is designed to make quality child care accessible and affordable, ensuring that parents can pursue employment, education, or job training. For families in Greenville, SC, and across the state, understanding this program is crucial for accessing vital resources.
Understanding the Child Care Scholarship Program
The Child Care Scholarship Program directly assists families by paying child care providers. This financial support is promptly processed, typically within 3-4 days of online submission, and participation opens doors to additional grants and resources through ABC Quality, South Carolina’s quality rating and improvement system for child care programs. This program is vital for enabling parents to work or attend school, contributing to the economic stability of families and communities, including those in Greenville, SC.
The program boasts a network of over 1,900 enrolled child care providers statewide, ensuring that families have a wide range of options to choose from when seeking care for their children. This extensive network is beneficial for families in urban centers like Greenville, SC, as well as those in more rural areas.
Who Qualifies for Child Care Scholarship?
South Carolina families meeting specific criteria can access these valuable child care scholarships through the DSS. The primary offering, the SC Working Families Child Care Scholarship, has particular eligibility requirements.
To qualify for the SC Working Families Child Care Scholarship, families must meet the following criteria:
- Have children between birth and 12 years of age.
- Parents or guardians must be employed for at least 15 hours weekly or be enrolled in school or a job training program.
- The family’s gross income must be at or below 85% of the state median income level. For a family of four, this translates to an annual income of up to $83,446.
These guidelines ensure that the scholarships reach families who need them most, providing crucial support for working parents and their children across South Carolina, including Greenville County.
Additional Eligibility Pathways Including Foster Care Support
Beyond the standard criteria, child care scholarships extend to support children in specific circumstances. Notably, children aged 13 to 18 may also be eligible if they have disabilities, developmental delays, or are in foster care. This provision is particularly important for foster families in Greenville, SC, and elsewhere, who often require additional support to care for children in foster care.
For families involved in foster care in Greenville, SC, the Child Care Scholarship Program can be a lifeline, providing financial assistance to cover child care costs, allowing foster parents to work or attend to other responsibilities while ensuring the children in their care receive quality supervision and care. While the original article doesn’t explicitly detail “after care programs,” it’s important to note that for working families, including foster families, these scholarships can be utilized for various child care needs, potentially encompassing after school care or similar programs that support working parents beyond standard daycare hours. Families in Greenville, SC, can explore local resources for after school care options that may be covered under this scholarship, provided they meet the general eligibility requirements.
Applying for a Child Care Scholarship
Families ready to apply for a child care scholarship can find the eligibility requirements and online applications on the DSS Benefits Portal. The online portal streamlines the application process, making it easier for families throughout South Carolina, including those in Greenville, SC, to access the support they need.
Child Care Scholarship Applications
Need Assistance?
For any questions regarding child care scholarships or eligibility, families can reach out via email to [email protected] for direct assistance. Additionally, the DSS Child Care Operations Center is available to provide support via phone during business hours.
Child Care Operations Center
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Closed on State Holidays
Client Number: (800) 476-0199
Provider Number: (800) 262-4416
Complaint Line: (800) 763-2223
Mailing Address:
Child Care Scholarship Program
P.O. Box 100160
Columbia, SC 29202-3160
This comprehensive Child Care Scholarship Program is a valuable resource for working families across South Carolina, including Greenville, SC, offering crucial financial support to ensure access to quality child care and enabling parents to achieve their employment and educational goals while providing a nurturing environment for their children, including those in foster care and potentially supporting after care needs.
