GREENVILLE, S.C. —

The South Carolina Department of Social Services is putting a pause on applications for a program providing affordable childcare access to thousands as funds dry up.

The department announced it would temporarily stop accepting children and families into the Working Families Child Care Scholarship as of December 1. The program serves 24,000 children and enrolls 1,900 childcare providers across the state.

The program was created to make childcare more affordable and accessible to families by making either all or portions of payments directly to childcare providers so parents can work, go to school or attend training.

Parents or guardians who qualify for the program are:

Those with children between birth and 12 years old

Those working at least 15 hours per week or att

See Full Page