Missouri
Missouri education officials apologize for backlog of child care subsidy payments
Missouri’s education department hopes to resolve a backlog of payments to daycares across the state in the next two months, agency staff told the State Board of Education on Tuesday.
The department previously predicted the backlog — which has left many daycares on the brink of closure — would be overcome by the end of July.
Everyone involved in the process “is frustrated, is exhausted, is at the end of their rope, myself included,” said Pam Thomas, assistant commissioner for Missouri’s Office of Childhood. “And I think that the only thing that you can say is you recognize it. We sincerely apologize.”
Technical issues with the education department’s disbursal of federal funds has left many daycare providers struggling to keep their doors open as they wait on payment from the state.
“We understand this program is vital, not only to the providers and the families, but to the employers, to those that are going to school,” Thomas said. “We understand that, and we are doing the best we can to get this cleaned up within the next month and get back on track.”
The subsidy, part of a federal block grant program that is state-administered, helps cover the cost for daycare owners serving low-income and foster children.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which oversees the program, has largely blamed a contracted vendor for the months-long backlogs. The system, which launched in December, is still not fully operational.
The vendor contracted to develop and implement the new system for the subsidy program is World Wide Technology, a large technology services provider headquartered in St. Louis.
“The first time the vendor put more resources and came on site and took us seriously was May 1,” she said. “We are not experts in an information technology system in the department.”
She said World Wide Technology has doubled their staffing on the project and brought in experts, but until it did that, the agency was “treading water” because it didn’t have the expertise to fix various issues.
The state now has three vendors working on the program and “it takes all three of them to come together and get on the same page with what we need,” Thomas said.
Thomas said they are bringing in outside staff to help work through the backlog, because they have enough staff to process new requests as they come in but “do not have the capacity for the backlog on top of that.”
Those other vendors are MTX Support, to help with the data system, and KinderSystems for administering the system that tracks children’s attendance for payments, said Mallory McGowin, a spokeswoman for the education department, in an email to The Independent.
McGowin said it took “longer than expected” to contract with and onboard the vendors. There are now around 1,800 providers’ accounts that will be reviewed by the contractors, she said, a process that is currently underway.
Thomas estimated it would take 45 working days to clear the backlog, but that is “dependent upon the vendor getting those system glitches fixed.”
Board member Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge raised concern at the meeting for struggling daycare providers.
“I am keenly aware,” Westbrooks-Hodge said, “… of the challenges we’ve heard from providers who literally are going out of business because they’re not being paid.”
Providers, she added, “don’t have the margins to tolerate our issues.”
Karla Eslinger, who has been commissioner of education since July 1, said her agency is doing all it can, and urged providers “just keep working with us.”
She said the problems should’ve been addressed earlier.
“We should have addressed it this way three months ago,” Eslinger told the board.
Eslinger added that she has “no patience when it comes to this. We will get these folks paid. We will take care of these children.
“I’m hoping that next month we’re going to have a very, very different story.”
This story was originally published by the Missouri Independent, part of the States Newsroom.
Copyright 2024 St. Louis Public Radio
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 24, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
04-25-31-52-59, Powerball: 19, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
Midday: 4-3-7
Midday Wild: 7
Evening: 1-6-3
Evening Wild: 3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
Midday: 3-8-9-4
Midday Wild: 2
Evening: 3-6-9-4
Evening Wild: 7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
04-17-18-21-60, Cash Ball: 04
Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
Early Bird: 12
Morning: 05
Matinee: 13
Prime Time: 07
Night Owl: 04
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
06-07-17-19-32
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Dec. 24 drawing
03-15-19-29-35, Powerball: 21
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, Bet365 Sportsbook remains officially live and active in Missouri, following its successful state launch earlier this month. To capture market interest during this busy stretch of the sports calendar, Bet365 Missouri is extending its aggressive welcome incentive: the Bet365 bonus code SILIVE currently unlocks a Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets promotion exclusively for Missouri residents, perfectly timed for tonight’s college football bowl game and tomorrow’s Christmas NFL triple-header.
This extended bonus represents a significant deviation from the standard national strategy for Bet365. In many established markets, the typical welcome offer often sits at just $150. By signing up with the Bet365 bonus code in Missouri today, new users secure an extra $215 in value, making this $365 guarantee one of the most lucrative launch-window offers in the country.
Note: Residents of states outside Missouri can also access the Bet365 bonus code “SYRACUSE” to wager on this week’s Christmas football slate.
Bet365 Bonus Code SILIVE Sets New Missouri Precedent:
The continued rollout comes at a perfect moment, coinciding with the peak of the college football bowl season and a high-stakes NFL Christmas Day schedule. The Bet365 bonus code structure for Missouri is intended to provide instant liquidity to new bettors. Unlike deposit matches that require heavy initial investments or “second chance” bets that only pay out on losses, the Bet365 bonus code SILIVE guarantees the $365 payout regardless of the wager’s outcome.
Key Deal Terms:
- Bonus Code: SILIVE
- Offer: Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets (Guaranteed)
- Value Differential: +$215 compared to the standard $150 national offer
- Launch Date: December 1, 2025 (Live Now)
Today’s Top Missouri Betting Options: Bowl Season & NFL Christmas:
The update of the Bet365 bonus code arrives as the Christmas football schedule intensifies. Missouri bettors can utilize their qualifying $10 wager on tonight’s bowl matchup or any upcoming Christmas Day game to trigger the $365 bonus.
Wednesday Bowl Slate: Dec. 24, 2025:
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Venue | Odds (Bet365) |
|---|---|---|---|
| California vs. Hawaii | 8:00 PM | Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex | HAW -1.5, O/U 52.5 |
NFL Christmas Day: Dec. 25, 2025:
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Venue | Odds (Bet365) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Commanders | 1:00 PM | Northwest Stadium | DAL -5.5, O/U 50.5 |
| Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings | 4:30 PM | U.S. Bank Stadium | DET -5.5, O/U 45.5 |
| Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs | 8:15 PM | GEHA Field at Arrowhead | DEN -13, O/U 36.5 |
Note: Odds are subject to change.
By using the Bet365 bonus code to place a $10 wager on the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (-1.5) or the Over (52.5) tonight, Missouri accounts will be credited with $365 in bonus bets, providing a substantial bankroll for the rest of the Christmas season.
How to Use the Bet365 Bonus Code SILIVE:
With the platform now live, accessing the elevated launch bonus requires specific steps during the registration process. The Bet365 bonus code must be applied as follows:
- Registration: The Bet365 bonus code SILIVE is entered during the account creation phase on the newly launched Missouri app or site.
- Deposit: A minimum deposit of $10 funds the account.
- Qualifying Wager: A $10 wager on any eligible market (including tonight’s bowl game or upcoming NFL) activates the promotion.
- Distribution: The Bet365 bonus code releases $365 in bonus bets to the account balance once the wager settles, regardless of the result.
Conclusion: Bet365 Missouri Is A Major Development for MO Sports Betting:
The debut of Bet365 in Missouri brings more than just another betting app; it brings a market-shifting promotional strategy. By using the Bet365 bonus code SILIVE today, sports fans can lock in a bonus that is $215 higher than the standard national offer, ensuring the strongest possible start to the legal betting era in Missouri during this massive week of Christmas football action.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 21+ only. Must be physically located in MO. T&Cs Apply. In App Only.
If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information.
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The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 23, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 23 drawing
15-37-38-41-64, Mega Ball: 21
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 23 drawing
Midday: 6-4-7
Midday Wild: 1
Evening: 5-8-1
Evening Wild: 6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 23 drawing
Midday: 2-1-2-8
Midday Wild: 5
Evening: 2-9-3-6
Evening Wild: 7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 23 drawing
05-06-09-21-45, Cash Ball: 03
Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 23 drawing
Early Bird: 13
Morning: 05
Matinee: 13
Prime Time: 10
Night Owl: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Dec. 23 drawing
09-11-12-16-19
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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