County human services flags possible state cuts to TANF, social‑services block grant and child‑care assistance

Ruby Richards, Director of the Douglas County Department of Human Services, told partners the state recently received a letter indicating reduced funding to the Social Services Block Grant, TANF and child‑care assistance programs but that county staff have limited details about timing or clawbacks.

"At this point, the message that we are sharing with our clients and with our staff is that we are business as usual," Richards said, noting the county had already completed the first‑quarter drawdown for TANF and the Social Services Block Grant and was awaiting further guidance about whether funds would be clawed back or stopped in March.

Richards provided program figures: statewide roughly 27,000 children utilize child‑care assistance; Douglas County has 596 children currently receiving assistance and about 544 children on a waitlist. She added that 324 local providers participate in CCAP and could face financial pressures if funding stops.

County partners discussed contingency ideas, including a possible community foundation fund or local tax credit to help fill gaps for child care if state funding is reduced. County staff offered to have accounting staff quantify the local financial exposure and to provide a follow‑up within a short timeframe.

Richards urged patience while staff navigate high call volumes from concerned clients and said the county will notify clients and partners promptly if guidance changes.