Promoting Positive Child Outcomes
Workforce Solutions Capital Area Child Care Services helps families and providers through scholarships to afford quality care, partnership to increase the quality of early childhood education, and support with job search and business services.
For Parents
For Providers
Additional Resources
For Parents
We offer child care scholarships for families who meet federal income guidelines and are working, looking for work, or attending school or enrolled in a training program. Eligible families receive financial support and connections to vetted providers to meet the needs of their families with quality care.
For Providers
Any licensed or registered provider of child care services in Austin-Travis County may apply to have a provider agreement with Workforce Solutions Capital Area Child Care Services.
Helpful Child Care Resources
Online resources for children, families, and child care providers:
Parents
- Americans with Disabilities Act – U.S. Department of Justice answers the most frequently asked questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act in regard to child care centers
- Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) – Connects parents to their state’s resource centers so that parents can find local information about disabilities, early intervention (for babies and toddlers), school services (for school-aged children), therapy, policies and transportation
- Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Services Program – Connects parents with community resources and support for children with special health care needs
- Child Care Aware – Provides resource information for parents on how to choose quality child care.
- Child Care Licensing – Responsible for protecting the health, safety and well-being of children in regulated child care facilities. Parents can access information concerning specific child care facilities through this site.
- Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services for children ages birth-3 years – Provides evaluations, at no cost to families, to determine eligibility and the need for services
- Marriage and Family Therapy – Helpful websites on Marriage and Family Therapy
- National Center for Fathering – Mission is to inspire and equip men to be better fathers
- National Center on Family Relations – Provides a forum for family researchers, educators and practitioners
- National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) – National association of agencies which provide referrals and counseling to parents seeking child care
- National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) – Supports and speaks on behalf of children and youth in the schools
- Navigate Life Texas — Resources for kids with disabilities and special health care needs
- Parent Companion (En Español) — Guide for Texas parents and caregivers of children with diagnosed or suspected disabilities from birth through 5 years of age
- Project HOPES — A collaborative early childhood prevention and intervention program based on home visitations and parent education
- Special Education in Texas A-Z Index — List of education-related topics by different terms provided by the Texas Education Agency
- Texas Child Care Solutions — Developed by the Texas Workforce Commission, the purpose of Texas Child Care Solutions is to provide parents access to accurate and consistent information to assist them in making informed choices to meet their child care needs.
- Texas Education Agency (TEA) Services for children ages 3-5 years — Eligible children with disabilities ages 3-5 may receive special education and related services provided by the school district
- Texas Health Steps Medical Checkups — My Children’s Medicaid – wellness program for children, teens and young adults age 20 and younger. Texas Health Steps helps remind you to make sure your children get their medical and dental checkups. As long as your children have Medicaid, they have Texas Health Steps.
- Texas Home Visiting — Free parenting support delivered to the parents’ door or convenient location.
- Texas Information and Referral Network / 2-1-1
- Understanding Child Development and Developmental Screening — Resources (including videos) for parents highlighting developmental milestones, developmental screening, and Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services available to families of young children
Child Care Providers - Professional Development and Training
- Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition – Offers a nationally-recognized, competency-based Child Development Associate Credential. The CDA program provides training, assessment, and certification of child care professionals. Awards credentials to home-based child care providers, preschool and infant-toddler caregivers, school-age caregivers, and home visitors. Bilingual specialization is available.
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) – Organization for family child care providers which offers accreditation for family and group providers and a variety of resources for persons offering child care services in a home environment.
- National Child Care Association – Professional trade organization for licensed, private childcare and education programs.
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – Dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8.
- National Head Start Association – Private, not-for-profit organization representing the Head Start programs across the country.
- National School-age Care Alliance – Supports professionals seeking to provide quality programs for school-age children and youth.
- The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) – Focuses on a dual commitment of the professional development of teachers and the fulfillment of every child’s potential.
- Zero to Three (ZTT) – Mission is to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers.
Federal & State Agencies
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF) – Administers the federal low-income child care program through the Child Care Bureau.
- Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Child Care Licensing – Responsible for protecting the health, safety and well-being of children in regulated child care facilities. Parents can access information concerning specific child care facilities through this site.
- Texas Workforce Commission – Administers the State low-income child care programs.
Advocates & Public Policy
- Children’s Defense Fund – A private non-profit organization that aims to educate the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick or into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown.
- Child Care Law Center – Utilizes legal tools to foster the development of high quality, affordable child care for every child, parent and community.
Contact Us
Child Care Services Team
Contact: austinccs@wfscapitalarea.com | 512.597.7191
Visit Us: 9001 N IH 35, Ste 110, Austin, TX 78753
Office Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm Mon – Fri
Please complete this form and a Workforce Solutions representative will contact you.
