SC BOO$T Gives More Than $25 Million to South Carolina’s Early Childhood Professionals

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SC BOO$T Gives More Than $25 Million to South Carolina’s Early Childhood Professionals 

April 2, 2025 - The South Carolina Department of Social Services’ (SCDSS) SC Endeavors program has successfully distributed more than $25 million in wage supplements to early childhood professionals across the state through SC BOO$T, according to a newly released impact report about the program.

Launched on February 12, 2024, SC BOO$T was a pilot program that provided one-time wage supplements to South Carolina’s early childhood professionals. The program was designed in response to data indicating low wages for the early childhood workforce, which has a direct impact on turnover and providing high-quality child care for children and families.

The success of SC BOO$T highlights the agency’s dedication to strengthening the child care workforce by ensuring professionals in the field receive additional financial support while caring for the state’s youngest citizens.

“SC Endeavors recognizes the incredible work and value that early childhood educators have in our state’s child care programs and facilities,” said Melissa Starker, SC Endeavors director. “These individuals work tirelessly to benefit children and families in our state, yet often do not earn a livable wage for this valuable work.”

Payments were distributed in two rounds. More than $12.7 million was awarded to 9,370 professionals in the first round, and more than $12.5 million was awarded to 8,620 professionals in the second round.

The program also played a key role in reducing turnover rates among early childhood professionals. While national turnover rates for early childhood educators range between 15% and 25%, South Carolina experienced a significantly lower turnover rate of 8% following the second round of SC BOO$T payments.

The impact of SC BOO$T is evident in the testimonials from educators who benefited from the program:

·         “I felt very blessed to receive this bonus. I am a single mother. My husband passed away last year and this bonus was so beneficial to helping financially.”

·        “As a preschool teacher, I am sometimes working paycheck to paycheck. This helped me put some money in savings. It also allowed me to get ahead and pay off some bills,”

• “I was encouraged that I was valued as an early childhood educator. This bonus was the first time I feel like early educators were recognized.”.

SCDSS used federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) supplemental funds for this one-time pilot program as allowed under federal guidelines. Although SC BOO$T ended on September 30, 2024, data obtained from this one-time benefit could be used in potential program development and future funding requests to the South Carolina General Assembly. In the current budget process for FY2025-2026, the Department of Social Services has asked the South Carolina General Assembly for roughly $26 million in recurring funds to continue the SC BOO$T child care retention program.

“SC Endeavors is hopeful that we can provide a future wage supplement program to help bridge this gap in pay and acknowledge the efforts of this workforce in supporting children and families in our state,” Starker said.

Read more about the impact of SC BOO$T here. To learn more about SC Endeavors, visit scendeavors.org.

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