State Assistance/DSS

• Some families may be eligible for DSS (Department of Social Services) assistance. To find out if you qualify for DSS assistance you must submit a childcare application to the Missouri Department of Social Services. 

• A DSS Award Letter must be received by BOOST before any reduction in fees occurs for DSS subsidies. Registrations will not be approved without an approval letter from the state and is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to get the DVN number for the site of attendance for approval letters

• The full monthly fee will be charged until the award notice is received. Upon receiving the notice, the monthly reimbursement from DSS will be applied to the account and, if applicable, fees retroactively adjusted. 

• The family is responsible for any non-DSS portion and agrees to pay the difference between the monthly fee and the reimbursement received. It is important to note that DSS assistance is based on family income and other family issues. 

  • Therefore, families will have a copay. Copays for each DSS enrollment will be $120/month.  If for any reason, DSS pay covers more of the enrollment cost, copays will be adjusted accordingly.

• DSS payments are based on actual attendance and may vary. Student attendance is very important. If the student has excessive absences, the family will be responsible for a larger portion of the monthly fees because of reduced payments by DSS. DSS assistance can end at any time for a variety of reasons including expiration, changes in household status or changes in certain family conditions. Families will be responsible for the full monthly fee once DSS coverage ends. 

• Please note that it is the responsibility of the family to apply for and monitor any assistance from DSS. We encourage families with DSS assistance to work with their DSS caseworker to fully understand their coverage and to carefully monitor their account invoice for changes in monthly rates affected by DSS. The invoice will show how much DSS pays toward the account and any balance left over for which the family is responsible. 

• It is the family’s responsibility to keep track of when DSS coverage is going to end and contact DSS before that deadline if further assistance is needed. 

• DSS payments are based on your award letter and student’s program attendance. 

  • Families are responsible for the full monthly fee until the award letter is received. 

  • In order to claim DSS, you must sign your students in and out each day. 

  • Your child must attend at least 5 hours per day in order to claim a Full day. 

  • Your child must attend at least 3 hours per day in order to claim a Half day. 

  • Your child must attend at least 30 minutes per day in order to claim a Part day. 

  • If your child attends less than 30 minutes we are unable to claim those days. 

  • DSS will only pay for 5 absences or holidays per month. 

  • DSS assistance (including foster/adopted) does not cover late pick up fees.