LANDRUM, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – A critical scholarship program for over 50,000 children across South Carolina was cut on Dec. 1 as the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) temporarily paused applications to their Working Families Child Care Scholarship Program.

The pause is leaving some parents begging leaders to see past the paperwork and understand the human impact.

“I just hope the people who are in control of all this can actually look at who it is affecting. It’s not just money given out, it’s not just a number, it’s real, live human people,” said Kayla Stivers, a parent affected by the pause.

Single mother Stivers said the Working Families Childcare Scholarship has changed her life. She has two children, works full-time time and goes to school.

“This is my livelihood. It’s my friends’ livelihood,” Stivers said. “I want to give the absolute best for my children as I possibly can, and this voucher helps.”

The recent pause in the childcare scholarship will soon leave her and her children without this assistance.

“Right now, I’m at the point where I have to start thinking about what I’m going to cut come February. If it’s going to be the sports that they’re in, it’s going to affect them majorly,” Stivers said.

DSS did not say how long they are pausing new applications, only that it is temporary. The department said the federal funding they have been using for the vouchers ran out last year and the government shutdown delayed additional funding they are still receiving.

Miss Tammy’s Little Learning Center said a majority of children they care for use this state scholarship program. They are anticipating 66% of their families will lose the scholarship in the coming months.

“Families are stressed. It’s going to affect not just families, it’s going to affect the childcare industry, it’s going to affect the working industry. It’s going to be a major ordeal,” said Thomas Compton, region director for Miss Tammy’s Little Learning Center.

The Spartanburg County First Steps Program called Quality Counts explained the pause on this funding is also impacting dozens of childcare centers across the county and could leave a ripple effect impacting children, parents and businesses.

“The only way to help prevent this is to get the people in power to talk about this and be aware of it and to know the facts,” said Cathleen Cullen, assistant director of Spartanburg County First Steps Quality Counts Program.

DSS has requested $20 million in state funds for 2026 through 2027 for this issue, but there is no word yet on where those funds stand.

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One day after completing his official visit to South Carolina, Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes four-star RB Carsyn Baker has decommitted from Florida, he told Rivals Hayes Fawcett on Monday night.

A one-time Gamecock lean early in the process and long-time Florida commitment, Baker began taking another look at other programs following the firing of head coach Billy Napier.

After taking trips to North Carolina and Kentucky, Baker completed his visit slate with an official to South Carolina this weekend, his last before National Signing Day.

Baker told GamecockCentral that he’ll make a final decision on Wednesday morning.

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The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder is being recruited to South Carolina by running backs coach Marquel Blackwell.

Baker is the No. 198 overall prospect and No. 16 RB in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 24 recruit in Georgia.

“I sign on Wednesday morning,” Baker said. “It’s going to come down to everything, the next couple of days I’m going to talk to my family and see what’s the best place and best fit for me. I think I’ll know Tuesday when I wake up and then Wednesday morning when I sign those papers, I’ll know exactly where I’m going.”

If Baker chooses the Gamecocks, he would be the lone pledge in Carolina’s 2026 recruiting class after Amari Thomas flipped to Florida State last month.

The 14-man class is currently ranked No. 19 in the country.

National Signing Day is set for this Wednesday.