The ABC Child Care Program can help families who meet the income requirements to pay for child care in South Carolina. The government provides assistance to people in need through grants and free vouchers. The government will pay providers directly so that parents can work or go to school.
The Department of Social Services in South Carolina is the main agency responsible for administering the free ABC Voucher program and its various components. The phone number for the Department of Social Services is below. There are a number of activities, referrals, and projects offered that can help improve government-funded child care programs and make care more available and affordable to families in need.
Since the 1990s, the state has provided funding for low-income children to attend some form of day or child care, so that their parents can work. If parents cannot afford to attend college, school, or required job training, social services will cover the costs so they can still get the education they need. The ABC Child Care program is low cost or free, and its standards are voluntary. The family will not receive any money for the payments and vouchers given to the child care providers. In addition to the government payment, providers may be able to receive a $5 bonus for each funded enrollee.
The state offers a lot of choice for parents. This means that parents can pick the type of daycare they want their child to go to, and which provider they want to use. This means that the South Carolina ABC Voucher Program pays for care at places like Licensed Centers, Group Child Care Homes, churches, family or friends’ houses, or after school programs. All of those need to be approved and also licensed in advance of receiving a voucher.
The Special Needs Program provides support and resources for families with children who have special needs. The program offers a variety of services, including respite care, information and referral, and training and technical assistance. This will prioritize serving low-income families with children who are disabled and/or have special needs. This means that people who have different abilities or development delays (such as mental retardation, autism, Down syndrome, or brain and spinal cord injuries) can be candidates for this. They must also be younger than 19.
If a child is receiving physical, speech, or occupational therapy through their local county school district in South Carolina, they may be eligible for additional assistance. They also need to have a plan in place with their school that is specifically tailored to their needs. The government provides assistance to families who are struggling financially. This help may include access to healthcare, food, and housing. If families meet other conditions such as working or attending training, they may qualify for special child care vouchers.
Some of the places you can go for more information on disability assistance include The South Carolina School for the Deaf & Blind, your local county Departments of Disabilities and Special Needs, the Babynet Office at the Department of Health and Environmental Control, and Children’s Rehabilitative Services. The staff at these centers can help you with your applications and answer any questions you may have. To reach someone by telephone, dial their phone number.
Day care providers who take care of children with special needs can receive help, including training, from the state. The DSS monitors the ABC Special Needs Program and collaborates with the Center for Disability Resources. Specialized technical assistance and training is available to providers.
The application process is not guaranteed and there could be a waiting list. The parents need to be employed, in school, or taking part in some sort of training program in order to be eligible. Parents must be required to provide a minimum of 15 hours of child care per week. This means that the total income of the household, before taxes, must be at or below a certain amount based on the number of people in the family.
To apply for free child care vouchers
If you are receiving welfare benefits from the Family Independence program in South Carolina, you should contact your local DSS office. To reach customer service, please dial (800) 476-0199. Your application for a free ABC voucher will be processed. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please contact your care worker for more information.
If you are a low income parent and think you may qualify for the ABC program, you can call 1-800-476-0199. If money or free tickets become available to pay for child care for everyone, more information will be given. This means that there is not enough money to help all of the families who need it and that only a few will be able to get assistance.
There may be other programs that can help you too. If you need help paying for daycare or child care, you can call your local First Steps to School Readiness Office. They may have funding available from the government or private sources, or they may offer free programs. The Head Start program is a government-funded program that provides free educational and other services to low-income children. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax credit for low- and moderate-income working people. The Child Tax Credit is a tax credit for families with children. This money could help you pay for your costs.