County monitors child‑care waitlist and CCAP costs; staff project roughly $70,000 overspend for fiscal year

San Miguel County—s Department of Human Services reported Nov. 5 that its child care assistance (CCAP) program remains under pressure but that recent program changes and ongoing case movement are easing the waitlist.

Human Services said the county recently set a local cap of 33 CCAP placements; as of the Nov. 5 briefing the department had three placements ending and six children on the waiting list who could be enrolled as openings occur. Staff said the state—s rule change—allowing CCAP to be stacked with UPK hours (rather than braided)—has made it easier to align program funding and reduce duplicate payments.

"With our current numbers, our current, like, cap at 33, we're still anticipating a $70,000 over expenditure in our CCAP program by the end of the fiscal year," Human Services Director Linnea Edwards told the board. Staff and commissioners agreed to continue monitoring caseloads and to work with Strong Start (the local early childhood nonprofit) to move eligible children from local subsidized slots onto CCAP as appropriate. Strong Start recently received additional county funding from a voter‑approved measure, staff said.

Human Services staff said they would continue to track movement month to month and that certain categories (siblings, transfers in) cannot be put on a waitlist under state rules. The department also noted it has reorganized eligibility staff to improve tracking and that a childcare caseworker is shared regionally.

Why it matters: CCAP supports working families' access to licensed child care; shortfalls or caps can affect parents— ability to work or attend training. The county—s projected overspend will be addressed in budget monitoring and may require reallocation or contingency funding.

What comes next: The department will monitor monthly stacking reports from the state and return to the board if additional budget action is necessary.