The waitlist for Missouri families applying for child care subsidies has increased by over 60% in the past week, with 565 families now on the list, representing 1,013 children. The state implemented the waitlist on March 1 due to a surge in qualifying families. The subsidy program currently serves over 27,000 children statewide, with a 19% increase since January 2025. Families on the waitlist may face delays in accessing child care assistance, with no clear timeline provided by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
