The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) manages the Child Care & Early Learning (CCEL) division, which offers vital support to Texas families, child care providers, and Local Workforce Development Boards. A key component of this support is the Child Care Services (CCS) program, designed to make child care more accessible for working families.
The CCS program provides child care scholarships, also known as financial aid, to eligible families with children. These scholarships are crucial in covering a portion or the entire cost of child care. This financial assistance enables parents to participate in the workforce, actively seek employment, or further their education through school or job training programs. It’s important to note that families approved for the CCS program must meet specific requirements to maintain their eligibility.
If you are interested in exploring if your family qualifies for the CCS program, the first step is to determine your potential eligibility. You can easily do this by completing an eligibility screener online. To begin the application process and access the screener, you can Login or create an account in the Texas Child Care Connection (TX3C).
The Texas Child Care Connection (TX3C) website serves as a central hub for families seeking child care services and for providers to connect with families. Through the Texas Child Care Connection (TX3C) website, families can efficiently search for child care providers based on various criteria, including location, available transportation options, and the ages of their children.
For child care providers, TX3C offers a platform to communicate their program’s details, such as available openings categorized by age groups, and share other relevant information that would be beneficial for families in their search for care.
Understanding Texas Rising Star Program
Texas Rising Star is a significant initiative within the Texas child care landscape. It is a quality rating and improvement system specifically designed for programs participating in TWC’s CCS program. Participation in the Texas Rising Star program is mandatory for all child care programs serving children under the CCS program. Texas Rising Star designated programs demonstrate a commitment to exceeding the state’s minimum child care standards, indicating a higher level of quality and care.
For more in-depth information regarding this quality program, please visit TWC’s Texas Rising Star page..
Exploring Child Care and Public Prekindergarten Partnerships
An innovative approach to early childhood education in Texas is through child care/pre-K partnerships. These “early learning partnerships” are collaborations between public school prekindergarten programs and licensed child care providers. Specifically, Texas Rising Star Three- and Four-Star certified programs are eligible to participate in these pre-kindergarten partnerships, further enhancing the quality of early learning experiences.
To discover more about these collaborations, you can visit the Public Prekindergarten Partnerships page.
Alt text for image: Texas Child Care Connection TX3C Website Portal for Texas Families and Providers seeking Child Care Services and Information.
