Early care and education is important to the development of children. We understand that quality child care is expensive. Next to housing, child care is the largest expense in most families' budgets. Through federal, state and local funding from the Texas Workforce Commission to Workforce Solutions East Texas Region, Child Care Service is able to provide financial aid for eligible families and provide professional development opportunities for early care and education providers.
Eligibility criteria to receive Child Care Services (CCS) include:
- Parent must work or attend a job training or educational program for a combination of at least an average of 25 hours per week for a single-parent family or a total combined 50 hours per week for a dual-parent household. Household members include those that live in the household: parents, step-parents, adult dependents and a child or other minor living in the household who is the responsibility of the parent.
- If taxes are not taken out of pay or parent is paid cash-we consider parent to be self-employed.
- Families who identify as homeless are exempt from this requirement to apply for services.
- Families who do not meet the above minimum participation requirements for At-Risk child care eligibility but who are otherwise eligible shall qualify for child care while searching for work.
- Meet income guidelines based on gross household income (before taxes) and family size. Types of other household income include, but are not limited to: rental income for a house, homestead, store, or other property; income from boarders/lodgers; income from estate and trust funds, or royalties; pensions, annuities, life insurance, and retirement income, Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), workers’ compensation income, alimony, court settlements, or judgements.
- The person applying for services must have primary custody of the child(ren) needing services. If applicant is not the parent of the child needing services, then applicant must provide the following with the application:
- Reason the parent is not available, and
- Paperwork verifying reason parent is not available, and
- Paperwork verifying that applicant is the person responsible for the child.
- Families must live within these counties: Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood.
Resources
Learn about Quality Child Care
Learn about Child Care Licensing rules, find a provider, view inspection reports
Workforce Centers
If you need to find employment, want a new job, or need job training, please visit a Workforce Solutions Center near you. If you are receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and need to find employment, you may be eligible for priority funding that enables you to find employment. Stop by and see all the services the centers have to offer. Click here to find a location.
211 Texas
Training for Parents
Children are the most valuable asset; therefore it is essential that you become good consumers of services that support you and your family.
Help Your Child Succeed in Preschool: Build the Habit of Good Attendance
Early School Success goes hand in hand with good attendance!
For more information go to www.attendanceworks.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Click and Find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the CCS program.
- Is this a secure website?
Yes, we have ensured that this site meets all of the Texas Workforce Commission security requirements.
- Once in the program, how often do you recertify services?
With the exception of parents who are homeless, eligibility for services is re-determined no sooner than 12 months. This Is following the Initial determination or most recent re-determination. Parents who are homeless are reviewed 3 months following Initial determination, if all eligibility requirements are not verified at Initial determination
- If my information changes before then, do I need to report it?
Yes. Parents shall report within 14 calendar days of the occurrence, the following:
- Changes in family income or family size that would cause the family to exceed 85 percent of state median income for a family of the same size, and
- Changes in work or attendance at a job training or educational program not considered to be temporary changes, and
- any change in family residence, primary phone number or email (if available).
Failure to report these changes may result in fact finding being conducted for suspected fraud.
- What is the parent’s cost for the child care?
Your share of cost is based on your family size, income, and the number of children receiving child care service. If you are in training, and have no income then CCS will pay the full cost of care.
- How does my provider get paid?
Providers are always paid while there is an active referral/authorization in the system. Providers should be checking KinderConnect regularly to make sure referrals/authorizations are still in place and parents are entering attendance.
- I am self-employed, what is needed for verify eligibility?
Parents must have been in business for themselves for at least three prior full months of date of initial determination. Parents must submit three full months of verifiable documentation of the business. Such documentation is revenue and expense statements, quarterly tax records, business licenses, tax identification number.
- I can’t afford my parent fee, do you offer any help?
Parents must pay their share of the child care costs to the provider on the first business day of each month. Providers may end the child care service if a parent does not pay the parent share of cost. Parents with extenuating circumstances that negatively impact their family’s self-sufficiency may have their circumstances reviewed for a possible one month reduction in the parent share of cost.
- What if my child cannot attend the provider?
Parents must ensure that the child attends on a regular basis. The attendance must be consistent with the child’s authorization for enrollment. Children who are not in attendance for 1) five consecutive days during the month, 2) ten total absences during a month, or 3) sixty-five total absences over a 12 month period may result in suspension of care or ending of service at the end of the first 12 months. You may be able to reapply for services until after another 12 months.
Tell Us How We're Doing!
We appreciate your feedback! Please complete a brief survey to let us know about your experience with Workforce Solutions Child Care program. Thank you.
