Access to Aid Episode 5: Affordable Childcare Services for Families in Need

There are many options for families in need to obtain free or low-cost childcare! Most of the options available for Texans are explained here: https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/child-care-prekindergarten-partnerships

In November 2021, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) approved $26 million to expand prekindergarten (pre-k) partnerships. A pre-k partnership is when a school partners with one or more quality child care programs to give quality care and education to 3- and 4-year-old children.

The primary options available through Texas Rising Star are:

1. Home-Based Care and Children Centers

2. Public School Prekindergarten

3. Head Start / Early Head Start

4. Programs for Children with Disabilities

There are formal and informal partnerships for pre-k and early childcare.

In a formal pre-k partnership, children are part of both public-school pre-k and TWC's Child Care Services program. They stay at the child care center before and after pre-k instruction. These partnerships are useful for families with working parents and help children have consistent care and learning.

In informal partnerships, a school and a child care program share resources and information. This includes things like learning opportunities for teachers, what children need to be ready for school, and ways to involve families.

TWC provides that to be eligible for public school pre-k, a child needs to be 3 or 4 years old by September 1 of the current school year and meet at least one of these conditions:

• Educationally Disadvantaged – Child is eligible for the free/reduced meal program or receives SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF.

• Limited English Proficiency – Child is unable to speak and comprehend the English language.

• Military - Child whose parent is currently in the armed forces, including state military forces or a reserve component. It also includes a child whose parent was hurt or died while serving on active duty in the armed forces.

• Homeless – Child qualifies as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

• Foster Care – Child is in or has ever been in foster care in Texas or another state.

• Star of Texas Award – Child of a police officer, firefighter, or emergency medical responder seriously injured or killed in the line of duty.

You may also use your county's Child Care Management Services (CCMS) to obtain financial assistance for private child care facilities. The Tarrant County Office of Child Care Management Services provides that on July 1, 2024, TWC is introducing a new system called Texas Child Care Connection (TX3C) for the Child Care Services (CCS) program. This system will make accessing information and applying for aid even easier!

Through Texas Rising Star, resources are provided to families so they can choose the child care option that best works for them. Some options include Head Start, various forms of Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) for children with disabilities, and more! Check out this guide for the 5 steps to choose the right childcare options for your family.

Have more questions? Contact your county's CCMS office for more information and assistance!

Note: This blog and podcast are not legal advice. If you have a legal question, please contact a local attorney or bar association for assistance.

Full podcast episode linked below!