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For many Texas families, affordable and high-quality child care is essential for maintaining employment, pursuing education, and achieving financial stability. The state's main program for texas child care assistance is the Child Care Services (CCS) program, which is managed by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
This program provides child care scholarships that enable parents to work, attend school, or participate in job training programs. By helping with child care costs, the CCS program supports families in building a better future while ensuring their children are in safe and educational environments. This resource offers a clear path through the process, from understanding eligibility to finding a quality provider.
The Texas Child Care Services (CCS) program is designed to make child care more accessible for working families. It combines federal funding with state and local administration to meet the needs of communities across Texas.
Purpose and Administration
The CCS program is funded by the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) manages these funds and sets statewide policies.
Direct services are handled locally by 28 Workforce Solutions Offices. These offices process applications, determine eligibility, manage waitlists, and provide resources to families. This local approach allows the program to adapt to community needs. For example, Dallas County families work with ChildCareGroup, while Houston-area families work with their regional Workforce Solutions office.
Dual Goals of the Program
The CCS program has two main goals: supporting parents' financial independence and improving the quality of early childhood education. It provides financial aid to eligible low-income families, allowing parents to work or attend school.
The program also aims to improve child care quality through the Texas Rising Star program, a quality rating system for providers. Providers must participate in this program to accept CCS scholarships, which encourages them to exceed minimum standards in areas like teacher qualifications and curriculum. This ensures that public funds support both affordability and high-quality early learning.
Eligibility for the Texas Child Care Services program depends on family income, work or education activities, and the child's age and citizenship. These criteria ensure that assistance goes to low-income families who need child care to work, train, or attend school.
Income Requirements
A family's gross monthly income must be at or below 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) for their family size. The TWC updates these limits annually.
The current gross monthly income limits are as follows:
Family size includes parents and any dependents claimed on a federal tax return. Additionally, a family's total assets must not exceed $1 million.
Work, Training, and Education Requirements
Parents must also show a need for child care by participating in approved activities.
These hours can be met through employment, education, vocational training, or a combination of these activities. If education is used to meet this requirement, the program must lead to a high school diploma, GED, or an undergraduate degree. There is a 60-month cumulative limit for parents who qualify solely through postsecondary education.
Child Eligibility Rules
The child receiving care must also meet specific requirements.
Special Eligibility Circumstances
The CCS program has provisions for families in unique situations.
The application process for child care assistance is managed through a statewide online platform. Preparing your documents in advance can help streamline the process.
The Texas Child Care Connection (TX3C)
The main application tool is the Texas Child Care Connection (TX3C), an online portal managed by the TWC. This mobile-friendly system provides a consistent user experience for all Texas families.
To start, create an account on the TX3C website and complete an initial eligibility screener. If you appear to qualify, you will proceed to the full application, where you will provide detailed information about your household, income, and work or school schedule. Your application will then be sent to your local Workforce Solutions office for review.
Required Documentation Checklist
Gathering the necessary documents beforehand can prevent delays. You can upload digital copies directly to the TX3C portal.
The Application and Approval Process
After you submit your application, your local Workforce Solutions office will review it and notify you of your status in writing.
Be aware that funding is limited, and many areas have a waitlist. If you are placed on a waitlist, your position is typically based on your application date. Some local offices may require you to check in periodically to remain on the list, so be sure to understand your local office's policy.
Most families in the CCS program are required to contribute to their child's care costs. This contribution, known as the Parent Share of Cost (PSoC), is an affordable amount based on the family's ability to pay.
Understanding the Parent Share of Cost (PSoC)
The Parent Share of Cost is a co-payment that families pay directly to their child care provider. It is calculated on a sliding fee scale based on family income and size, as required by federal regulations.
Once your PSoC is determined, it remains constant for your entire 12-month eligibility period, providing financial predictability. Even if your income increases during the year (as long as it stays below the 85% SMI limit), your co-payment will not change. This policy supports families as they advance financially without the immediate penalty of a higher child care bill.
How Your PSoC is Determined
Your local Workforce Solutions office calculates your PSoC based on a standard formula. The main factors are:
A common method is to assess the PSoC as a percentage of the family's gross monthly income, such as 9% for the first child and 11% for two or more children. You will be notified of your exact PSoC amount upon approval and will pay it directly to your provider.
Situations with No Co-payment or Reductions
Some families may not have to pay a PSoC or may qualify for a reduced amount.
After being approved for a child care scholarship, the next step is to choose a provider that participates in the CCS program. Texas offers several resources to help parents find and evaluate high-quality child care options.
Using State Resources to Find Care
The state's primary tool is the Texas Child Care Availability Portal, part of the Texas Child Care Connection (TX3C) system. This interactive map allows you to search for licensed and registered child care programs by location, child's age, and type of care needed.
Search results provide details about each provider, including their hours, contact information, available openings, and links to their health and safety inspection reports. Your local Workforce Solutions office can also offer one-on-one assistance and referrals.
Types of Eligible Child Care Providers
The CCS program allows parents to choose from several types of care, as long as the provider is licensed or registered with the state and accepts CCS payments.
Identifying High-Quality Programs: The Texas Rising Star Initiative
Texas is committed to improving the quality of child care through the Texas Rising Star (TRS) program, a voluntary quality rating system. A TRS certification means a provider exceeds the state's minimum licensing standards.
Providers are evaluated on factors like staff qualifications, teacher-child interactions, and curriculum, earning a rating from Two to Four Stars. To accept CCS scholarships, providers must participate in the Texas Rising Star program. This links financial assistance to quality, ensuring your child is in an environment that supports their development and school readiness.
Understanding your responsibilities is key to maintaining your child care scholarship. The program provides stability with a 12-month eligibility period but requires parents to report changes and meet attendance standards.
The 12-Month Eligibility Period
Eligibility for the CCS program is determined for a minimum of 12 months at a time, providing stability for families and children. This 12-month period begins on the first day your child starts care, ensuring you receive a full year of subsidized assistance.
Your Responsibility: Reporting Changes
You are required to report significant changes in your family's circumstances to your local Workforce Solutions office within 14 calendar days. Failure to do so could result in the termination of your benefits.
Changes that must be reported within 14 days include:
You can report these changes using a "Parent Change Request" form through the TX3C portal or by contacting your caseworker.
Meeting Attendance Standards
The state requires that scholarships are used for care that is actively being provided. Parents and providers must track attendance using the TX3C attendance system, typically through mobile apps like KinderSmart or KinderSign.
A child is generally allowed a maximum of 40 unexplained absences during their 12-month eligibility period. Providers must report when a child has five consecutive unexplained absences. Exceeding the annual limit can lead to the termination of your child care assistance.
The Annual Recertification Process
Your child care assistance does not renew automatically. At the end of your 12-month eligibility period, you must complete a recertification process. Your local Workforce Solutions office will notify you and provide a link to the recertification application in the TX3C portal.
This process requires you to submit a new application and updated documents to verify your current income, residency, and work or school participation. Completing this promptly is crucial to avoid a lapse in benefits. If you continue to meet all eligibility requirements, your assistance will be renewed for another 12 months.
Yes, parents who work from home may qualify for the Child Care Services (CCS) program. You must meet the same income and work-hour requirements as other applicants. Your local Workforce Solutions office will require documentation to verify your employment and the number of hours you work each week.
If you lose your job, you may be eligible for continued Texas child care assistance for up to three months while you search for new employment. It is crucial to report your job loss to your local Workforce Solutions office immediately to understand your options for this job search period.
Yes, the CCS program provides services for children with disabilities up to the age of 19. The program may also offer an enhanced reimbursement rate to providers who care for a child with a disability, ensuring they can accommodate the child's specific needs appropriately and effectively.
Full-time students enrolled in a degree or certificate program can qualify for Texas child care assistance. You must meet the income guidelines and participate in your educational activities for the required number of hours, similar to the work requirement, to be eligible for support through the CCS program.
Yes, you can often use a relative for child care. This person must become a "listed family home" provider with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and meet specific health and safety standards. This option provides flexibility for parents who prefer family-based care.
Due to high demand and limited funding, many local Workforce Solutions boards maintain waitlists for the CCS program. It is best to apply as soon as you believe you might be eligible. Priority is often given to families with the lowest income or those in specific circumstances.
Your parent share of cost, or co-payment, is paid directly to your chosen child care provider each month. The CCS program then pays the remaining portion of the subsidized rate. Failure to pay your co-pay can result in the termination of your Texas child care assistance benefits.
Yes, the CCS program can cover costs for licensed summer camps and after-school programs for eligible school-aged children. This support ensures children have a safe and enriching environment during out-of-school hours while parents continue to work, train, or attend school, fulfilling program participation requirements.
Transferring CCS benefits between counties is possible but not automatic. You must contact your current Workforce Solutions office and the office in the county you are moving to. A transfer depends on the availability of funds and your continued eligibility in the new service area.
Texas has a "graduated phase-out" provision. If your family's income exceeds the initial eligibility limit while you are receiving services, you may remain eligible for up to 12 months as long as your income does not surpass 85% of the state median income (SMI).
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