JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee will convene a special hearing on September 10 at 2:00 p.m. to investigate the causes and impacts of delays in issuing childcare payments by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The session will take place in State Capitol in House Hearing Room 3, and members of the public are encouraged to attend and participate.
This hearing will provide a platform for examining the reasons behind the payment delays, the steps DESE has taken to address the backlog, and measures to prevent future occurrences. Representatives from DESE have been invited to testify regarding these issues, ensuring a thorough review and transparent discussion.
Speaker Dean Plocher (R-Des Peres) emphasized the urgency of resolving this matter: “DESE’s childcare reimbursement program supports over 23,000 children in Missouri. The delays in issuing childcare payments are having an impact on Missouri families and childcare providers and they deserve answers. The Republican House Majority has made historic investments in public education, and it is important those administrators entrusted with the stewardship of those programs appear to testify on these issues to maintain the trust and support of our citizens.”
Chairman Brad Pollitt (R-Sedalia) has expressed his commitment to resolving the issue: “For the past several weeks, I have been in communication regarding these concerns with DESE. They understand the problem and have been working on solutions. This hearing will provide DESE an opportunity to report to the public and explain their remediation efforts.”
About the House Education Committee: The House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee is dedicated to overseeing and improving educational policies and programs across Missouri. The committee works to ensure that all educational initiatives meet the highest standards of quality and efficiency.