South Carolina’s Department of Social Services paused new applications for the Working Families (“Strong Start”) childcare scholarship program on December 1, 2025, due to surging demand outpacing funding after federal pandemic-era support ended.
Program Impact
The program, costing $20-24 million monthly (mostly federal funds), saw children served triple from 10,000 in 2019 to over 31,000 last year, with spending rising from $65 million to nearly $286 million. Existing recipients keep aid for their 52-week approval periods with notice, but new applicants are paused except for groups like homeless families or those in child welfare.
Parent Challenges
Families like Jessica Hart (mother of four) face weekly costs of $350 per toddler—up to $3,000 monthly—making work unsustainable without subsidies, potentially forcing her to quit. Nakeiah Murray pays $1,000 monthly for her son’s Montessori, equating it to rent amid broader expenses.
Uncertain Future
DSS seeks more state funding without guarantees, leaving parents like Hart and Murray anxious about choosing between childcare affordability and employment.
