Resignation of Missouri’s Office of Childhood Head Amid Child Care Subsidy Backlog Crisis
JEFFERSON CITY, MO — Pam Thomas, the director of the Office of Childhood within the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), has announced her resignation, signaling a pivotal shift in the leadership of a department facing significant scrutiny over its child care subsidy payment issues. Thomas has been at the helm since the office’s inception in 2021, overseeing critical initiatives aimed at expanding access to preschool education and child care throughout the state.
The announcement, made in an email from DESE, confirmed that Thomas will step down while Kelli Jones, the current Deputy Commissioner, will take over as the interim contact for the office beginning February 24, 2025. This change comes against a backdrop of escalating criticism from legislators regarding the office’s struggles to manage a substantial backlog of payments to child care providers.
Over the past year, Thomas has found herself under intense pressure as the office failed to address a growing backlog that emerged following the implementation of a new child care data management system in December 2023. This system’s technical issues compromised the office’s ability to process payments promptly, leaving many child care providers without essential funding and, in some cases, on the brink of closure.
Thomas had attributed these discrepancies to the shortcomings of a contracted software vendor, noting that they failed to resolve significant system problems despite repeated appeals. The financial strain faced by child care providers has become a pressing issue for lawmakers, particularly as the state seeks to bolster its workforce through enhanced child care services—an initiative prioritized by former Governor Mike Parson.
Thomas holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Missouri and brings over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, which includes a decade spent as the state coordinator for the First Steps early intervention program at DESE. Under her stewardship, the Office of Childhood was established to unify early childhood programs across various state departments, including social services and health, thereby facilitating better access to services for families and children.
As Kelli Jones steps into the interim role, the office, with approximately 150 employees and a budget of around 0 million, faces the urgent task of rectifying the systemic issues that have led to these payment delays. Lawmakers have signaled their intent to conduct further hearings aimed at uncovering solutions to these pressing challenges, impacting over 2,400 providers who rely on state subsidies to support their operations.
The challenges surrounding the Office of Childhood highlight the complexities involved in managing public service programs, particularly those that underpin critical child care services in Missouri. With this leadership transition, there is renewed hope for reform and improved operational efficiency within the office, which remains integral to the state’s broader efforts to support children and families.
