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The Madison County Department of Social Services (DSS) in Wampsville has announced the closure of its childcare assistance application process due to funding shortages. As of today (July 1), the county will not accept new applications for the foreseeable future. The DSS has been operating on a first-come, first-served basis since mid-March, but the lack of funding has forced this shutdown.
County officials have stated that no waitlist will be maintained for childcare assistance. The funding shortfall is attributed to broadened eligibility and increased costs imposed by New York State, without additional resources to support these changes. The county's Child Care Block Grant, totaling $2,990,000 for the period from October 2024 to September 2025, currently supports 218 cases, 354 children, and 75 providers.
The situation in Madison County mirrors similar challenges faced by other counties. For instance, Onondaga County also paused its childcare assistance applications due to funding concerns. However, Onondaga County received a waiver allowing it to keep 95% of its current cases open during recertification for certain federal-poverty categories.