Local officials press delegation for TriShare pilot and answers on paused childcare subsidies

Local officials and a nonprofit director urged state legislators to support a regional childcare pilot and to clarify the status of recent subsidy cuts.

Organizers said eight jurisdictions passed resolutions requesting capital funding — described at the meeting as "a couple of million dollars" — to launch a voluntary TriShare pilot in Beaufort and Jasper counties. Under the proposed model, employers would pay one‑third, parents one‑third and the state would provide one‑third of child‑care costs. Sen. Davis said TriShare would be among his capital requests on the Senate side when the budget crosses over.

Jody Levitt, executive director of the Children’s Center on Hilton Head Island, told the meeting that Department of Social Services action on Dec. 1 suspended ABC scholarship dollars that many local families and providers had relied on. "At this point, almost into March, we have heard nothing from the Department of Social Services regarding the reimplementation of those families who will come off of those childcare subsidies very soon," she said, describing a mix of federal ARPA pass‑through dollars and other funding sources. Levitt said providers and families are facing imminent decisions about whether parents can remain employed if subsidies are not restored.

Sen. Davis acknowledged the issue and said some of the TriShare capital requests will be part of his Senate capital appropriation requests. He also urged creativity at the local level because federal pass‑through funds may be contracting over the next decade.

The delegation did not adopt funding during the meeting. Legislators and staff asked for additional written information about eligibility and exact amounts so they can pursue targeted appropriations and letters of support.