Child Care
Workforce Solutions of Central Texas can help pay for child care that nurtures your children while providing reassurance and relief to your daily life.
Child Care Services enables parents to work or attend courses by offering access to child care scholarships, information about trusted early learning programs, parent classes, and referrals to other resources.
Child Care Services can also provide information about other programs within Workforce Solutions of Central Texas that might benefit you and how to find an early learning program in your area, or all across Texas.
Family Member Child Care
Parents may choose a relative to care for their child, however, the relative must meet the requirements of child care regulation for becoming a listed family home. Family members who may be eligible will be at least 18 years old and be the child’s grandparent, great grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling.
How To Apply
You may qualify if you can say YES to the following questions:
- Do you live in one of the following counties? Bell, Coryell, Hamilton, Lampasas, Milam, Mills, San Saba
- Do you: work at least 25 hours per week (50 hours per week for two parents) or; go to school full-time or; work and go to school combined for at least 25 hours per week (50 hours per week for two parents)?
- Are you currently looking for employment? Parents who need child care in order to look for work are eligible for three months of child care (one initial job search is allowed within a 12-month period).
- Do you meet Workforce Solutions’ family income guidelines? (Child Care Income Guidelines)
If your family meets eligibility requirements, and if WSCT has funds available, we may pay a portion of your family’s child care costs. You may be responsible for a co-payment based on the family’s income.
New Child Care Services Program System
On January 13th, Texas Workforce Commission implemented a new system called Texas Child Care Connection (TX3C) for the Child Care Services program. You will now be able to complete an application through the website.
We appreciate your patience while Workforce Solutions of Central Texas and Texas Workforce Commission continues the transition to TX3C. We are excited to share some of the new features you will have access to in our new system.
The new system will feature the following:
A new statewide application for families.
An easy-to-use interface that works with mobile devices.
A common user experience for all Texans.
If you have any questions, please email:
child.care@workforcesolutionsctx.com or call 200-2009.
Choosing A Provider
The Child Care Services (CCS) team knows that choosing a child care provider is one of the most important decisions parents make. We can help you find a quality child care option that is right for you and your child. If you qualify, we offer scholarships to help you pay for child care. When parents feel good about their child care provider, they are more successful reaching their education and career goals. That’s important to us.
Selection of the child care provider is the parents’ choice so long as the provider is licensed or registered through the Child Care Regulation (CCR) or operated and monitored by the U.S. military services, and who is also authorized with WSCT.
Download “A Parent’s Guide to Choosing Care” to assist you with your search.
Click here for more information on how to choose the right child care option for you and your family.
Parents may choose a relative to care for their child, however, the relative must meet the requirements of child care regulations for becoming a listed family home. Family members who may be eligible will be at least 18 years old and be the child’s grandparent, great grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling. Click here to find the Guidelines for listed family homes.
Search Texas Child Care for child care based on your specific needs.
Find all types of child care, all in one place.
Explore physical child care programs based on your location and children’s age. Or, explore virtual programs!
Texas Rising Star is a quality rating and improvement system for Texas early childhood programs.
Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) is a statewide program within the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for families with children birth up to age 3, with developmental delays, disabilities or certain medical diagnoses that may impact development.
Head Start and Early Head Start programs help prepare children to start school and provide services to support their mental, social, and emotional development. Families who have low incomes or meet other requirements may be eligible for Head Start. More information is available here.
Members of the armed services may receive help paying for child care in the community where they live if they are unable to access care on their base. Find details about eligibility requirements and apply at Child Care Aware of America.
See also: Army Fee Assistance Programs
The goal of WIC is to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 by providing nutritious foods, information on healthy eating, and health care referrals. Most WIC programs provide vouchers that moms can use at approved grocery stores. Learn more about WIC and locate a WIC office.
Tax credits reduce the amount of tax you owe and may result in a refund. To claim tax credits you need to meet certain qualifications and file a return, even if you have no other filing requirement or owe no tax.
Child and dependent care tax credit: This credit is available to people who pay for child care so they can work or look for work.
Earned income tax credit: This is a tax credit for people with moderate and low incomes.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program is designed for families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid health care, yet cannot afford to buy private insurance. To learn more, click here
