Missouri waiting on $25.7 million federal payment for child care reimbursements

Missouri is awaiting a $25.7 million federal payment that was due in December, and state officials say they are communicating with federal stakeholders while payments to child care providers remain paused.

Missouri is awaiting a $25.7 million federal payment that was expected in December to reimburse child care providers. Some providers report unpaid invoices and difficulty meeting payroll while payments remain paused. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office of Childhood says it is communicating with federal stakeholders and believes delays may relate to the holidays and scheduled maintenance of the federal payment system. Federal officials have not provided a definitive timeline publicly. Known details: - Missouri was due to receive $25.7 million in federal funds in December to reimburse child care providers, and some invoices for December remain unpaid. - The state agency says it is communicating with federal stakeholders and believes the pause may be linked to holiday timing and scheduled maintenance of the federal payment management system, but the federal government has not directly confirmed the cause to the state. - Federal officials announced that funds will be released only after states demonstrate that child care expenses are being spent legitimately, and payments were temporarily halted in several states while that review was underway. Summary: The paused federal payment has left some Missouri child care providers with unpaid invoices and uncertainty about their short-term finances. State officials say they are in discussions with federal stakeholders but have not provided a firm payment date. Federal guidance indicates funds will be released after states show legitimate use of funds. Undetermined at this time.