TITLE
Title
HHS-DSS UPDATE ON SUBSIDY CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE (SCCA) PROGRAM
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Sharon Barlow
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BACKGROUND
Background
The need for childcare in North Carolina is an economic necessity for many families. This need is especially significant among low-income households, where access to high-quality, affordable childcare services is often limited due to financial constraints. Many families face risk factors that can negatively affect healthy child development, making early childhood education and development programs critical to promoting school readiness, academic success, and long-term positive outcomes.
Over the years, the childcare subsidy program in Guilford County has evolved to address increasing service costs and the growing number of families requiring assistance. Recent state policy changes have also altered the eligibility determination process for childcare subsidies. In response to these challenges, Guilford County has developed collaborative partnerships with several community organizations. Together, these agencies work to identify and serve the county’s most vulnerable and at-risk children and families, ensuring greater access to essential childcare and early education services.
New Policies - The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education has issued several administrative directives encouraging counties to provide childcare subsidy services to eligible families without regard to spending limitations. As a result of these directives, Guilford County successfully cleared its childcare subsidy waiting list as of May 2026. This achievement has significantly improved access to childcare assistance, allowing eligible families to receive services needed more quickly and without the delays previously associated with placement on a waiting list. The clearing of the waiting list represents a major step toward increasing access to affordable childcare and supporting the needs of working families throughout the cou...
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