Parent Information

Complete the Standard Child Care Application if you need child care and are looking for a job, working 25 hours a week, and/or enrolled in school or training. Parents who need child care in order to look for work are eligible for 90 days of child care. Make sure you choose one of the first two answer options in question six (6) of the application. Child Care will end if parent(s) do not meet the minimum activity requirement after three months of job searching.

APPLY FOR CHILD CARE

NOTICE: Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas Child Care Services is transitioning to a new statewide childcare system on Sunday, September 1, 2024*. Our current wait list application will be available until further notice. Learn more.

*This date is TWC’s anticipated date for the new application system to go live (changed from July 1, 2024). Updates regarding potential changes to this date will be provided as they become available.

Additional Parent Forms

Finding Child Care Resources

	CHILD ONE – TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE TODAY Find certified and accredited child care providers and other resources
	TEXAS CHILD CARE AVAILABILITY PORTAL Find child care programs based on your location and children’s age.
	2-1-1 TEXAS Connecting People and Services
	SELECTING CARE FOR YOUR CHILD Learn the ABC’s of Choosing Care for Your Child
	CHILD CARE AWARE Helpful information to become a more informed consumer of child care.

Child Care Licensing for Parents
CLICK HERE to view information on child care licensing standards and rules, background checks, local licensing offices, and related topics.

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Parenting Resources & Classes

	Child One – Tomorrow’s Workforce Today website has a child care provider map that allows you to search for agencies, programs and facilities near you. To view a list of parenting classes near you, visit the provider map web page, and click the “Parenting Classes & Support” option from the “Select Category” dropdown box.
	The Texas AgriLife Extension Service offers quality online training for parents. Click here to find online child care and child growth and development courses offered by Texas A&M AgriLife.
	Act Early Texas offers online development screenings. Parents and early childhood professionals can conduct a free online developmental screening on their children or the children they care for.
	Conscious Discipline for Parents provides the tools you need to build safety, love, and new skills for you and your children. You can also search You Tube for Conscious Discipline videos.
	Consumer Product Safety Commission Visit this site for the latest safety information, product recalls, and important messages that will keep you and your family safe.
	Cradled by Love, Hope, and Healing CLICK HERE to learn about a local support group for families experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, and early infant loss.
	ABCs of Safe Sleep for Babies CLICK HERE to learn how to lower the risk of infants dying in their sleep.
	Early Childhood Texas provides families with young children easy access to Texas state agency programs, services, and resources and is a partner of various state agencies such as the Texas Education Agency and Texas Department of State Health Services. View eligibility programs here.
	HOPES Waco, which stands for Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Early Support, is a free support program for parents and caregivers of children ages 0-5 in McLennan County. The program is provided by Family Abuse Center of Waco and is a Texas Parents as Teachers affiliate.
	NAEYC for Families offers child development information, the “Families Today” newsletter, a parent blog, and music.
	Safe Kids Worldwide is dedicated to preventing injuries in children. Many injuries can be avoided with the right education, awareness and planning.
	Texas Child Care Solutions helps parents make informed choices about child care, developmental screenings and more.
	Vroom is a free parenting app that helps parents turn everyday moments with their children into brain building moments using science-based tips and tools. Download the “Daily Vroom” app  (Apple App Store | Google Play).
	Zero to Three believes parents are the true experts on their children. They help parents develop their own ways to promote their children’s growth and development.

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Resources for Children with Disabilities

	CHILDONE – TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE TODAY ChildOne is a parent and community engagement project of Workforce Solutions Child Care Services. Use the provider resource map to search for local Disability Services .
	Children’s Learning Institute offers information on developmental milestones, screening & Early Childhood Intervention. Visit www.cliengage.org and search for Parents.
	Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) is a statewide program for families with children, birth to three, with a disability or developmental delay. ECI provides free evaluations. Visit www.kcceci.org or call 866-752-3451.
	ESC Region 12 Child Find provides the following: Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities, Visually Impaired, Regional Day-School for the Deaf, and assistance for all areas of Special Education to help you through the process. Visit the ESC Region 12 Child Find web page or call 254-666-­0911.
	Parent Companion – First Five Years is a guide for Texas parents of children with diagnosed or suspected disabilities. You are not alone. We can help. Visit our website.
	Social Security Administration (SSA), Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured,” meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. Supplemental Security income pays benefits based on financial need. You can apply for benefits online https://www.ssa.gov/disability/ or by calling toll-free 1-800-772-1213.
	STAR Kids provides Medicaid benefits to children and adults 20 and younger who have disabilities. Visit https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/star-kids.
	Texas Parent to Parent offers parent-to-parent support, resource referral, and education about disabilities and/or special health care needs. Visit www.txp2p.org or call 512-458-8600.

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Financial Resources

Child Tax Credit	Child Tax Credit Flyer (in English and Spanish). ChildTaxCredit.gov – a one-stop-shop for information about the CTC, including how non-filers can sign up for payments. The Code for America Get CTC demo (Video – English and Spanish). This video is a quick tour of how to use Get CTC, the simplified tax filing portal.
	Head Start & Early Head Start programs provide free services to qualifying families. Services include: early education, health, nutrition, parent involvement, and services for children with disabilities.
	The Economical Opportunities Advancement Corporation (EOAC) provides services in McLennan and Falls Counties. Visit the EOAC website or call 254-­753-0331.
	Hill County Community Action  provides services in Bosque, Hill, Limestone and Freestone Counties. Visit www.hccaa.com or call 877-­372-­5167.
	Pre-Kindergarten programs are offered in many school districts. Children must be at least three years of age and meet eligibility criteria. Contact your neighborhood school for more information or visit The TEA website.
	2-1-1 Texas is available no matter where you live in Texas. Dial 2-1-1 and find information about resources in your local community. If you need help finding food or housing, crisis counseling or substance abuse treatment, one number is all you need. Call 2-1-1 or visit www.211Texas.org.
	Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a benefit for working people with low to moderate income. The IRS EITC web page provides eligibility information. Find out if you’re eligible.
	Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) helps families with financial assistance and support services. Monthly cash payments helps pay for food, clothing, housing, utilities, furniture, transportation, telephone, laundry, household equipment and other basic needs. Click here to apply or call 2-1-1.
	The Lone Star Card Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps families buy the food they need for good health. This is a nutritional program. Click here to apply call 2-1-1.
	The Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) is a supplemental nutrition program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, and young children (under 5 years of age) eat well, learn about nutrition and stay healthy. Visit the USDA WIC web page or call 2-1-1.
	Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers low cost children’s health insurance for children from birth to 18 years of age. Click here to apply call 2-1-1.
	The Low Income Housing Program can help find a safe, clean, and affordable rentals and housing. Click here to learn more.
	Community Service is a division of Economic Opportunities Advancement Corporation – Community Action Agency (EOAC) which provides a variety of programs to eligible, low income individuals and families, including utility assistance for eligible families and prevention and intervention services to children and families in need. Call 254-756-0954, apply here for services or learn more here.
	Texas Health Steps provides information and resources for getting the most from Medicaid for your children. You can also get more Texas Health Steps information here. You can also learn more here about the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

 

Parents participating in Child Care Services have the freedom to choose a provider that meets their family needs.

There are three types of child care regulated by The Texas Department of Health and Human Services: Child Care Regulations (CCR)

• Licensed Child Care Centers provide care for seven or more children under 14 years old for less than 24 hours per day at a location other than the permit holder’s home. All types of licensed facilities have published standards they are required to follow and are routinely monitored and inspected. The application process requires that the licensed operation provider receive orientation and background checks are conducted. A license is issued after licensing staff completes on-site inspection(s) to ensure minimum standards are met. Licensed facilities are inspected at least once every 12 months and to investigate reports alleging violations of standards or child abuse/neglect. Licensed Facilities include day care and 24 hour residential care.
• Licensed Child Care Homes provide care for less than 24 hours per day for 7-12 children under 14 years old in the permit holder’s own home. All types of licensed facilities have published standards they are required to follow and are routinely monitored and inspected. A license is issued after Licensing staff completes on-site inspection(s) to ensure minimum standards are met, including cleared background checks. Licensed facilities are inspected at least once every 12 months and to investigate reports alleging violations of standards or child abuse or neglect.
• Registered Child Care Homes provide care in the caregiver’s home for up to six children under age 14; they may also care for six additional school-age children after school hours. The number of children allowed in a home is determined by the ages of the children. No more than 12 children can be in care at any time, including children of the caregiver. The application process requires a pre-application class and cleared background checks. A registration certificate is issued after Licensing staff completes an on-site inspection to ensure minimum standards are met. Registered homes are inspected every 1-2 years and to investigate reports alleging violations of standards or child abuse/neglect.
• Listed Family Homes do not have minimum standards or training requirements and they are not inspected unless a report of child abuse/neglect or child endangerment is made. For children enrolled in CCS, this type of care can only be selected when the listed family home is an eligible relative of the child enrolled in CCS.

Choosing the right child care provider is one of the most important decisions that parents make. The experiences your child will have by the age of four will influence how ready and how successful he or she will be in school. Spend time with the Child Care Director, asking questions and observing the children to better understand the program. Spending extra time to choose the right provider can save a lot of time and stress later.

Eligible Child Care Providers must be licensed or registered through Child Care Regulation (CCR) Division of the Texas Health and Human Services or operated and monitored by the United States military services. CCS offers parents a choice of more than 120 eligible child care providers who are already caring for children enrolled in the CCS program. We want your child to be in a high-quality child care program so we recommend you choose a Texas Rising Star provider or a provider participating in another recognized quality improvement program. If you want to choose a child care provider who does not have a signed agreement with CCS, ask the provider to contact Tamera Carter, Provider Services Manager, at 254.296.5367 or Tamera.Carter@hotworkforce.com for more information.

In some situations, parents may choose a relative to care for their child. However, relatives must first meet the requirements of Child Care Licensing for becoming a LISTED FAMILY HOME. Family members who may be eligible must 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 in English and Spanish.

Questions to Ask a Child Care Provider

1.  May I see your state permit and your last inspection?
2. Who has special training in early education, first aid, and CPR?
3. Are there enough caregivers to provide attention to every child?
4. What’s a typical day like for a child in your care?
5. How do you protect the health and safety of children?
6. Do you use safe sleep practices with infants?
7. How do you discipline children?
8. How do you handle emergencies and under what circumstances will you contact me?
9. Do you participate in quality improvement programs like Texas Rising Star, Texas School Ready, or are you nationally accredited?
10. How will you discuss progress and concerns related to my child?

As a parent, you can help prevent child care fraud. Download this fraud prevention brochure provided by our CCS team to learn more.

The Texas Rising Star program is a quality-based system of child care providers participating in the Texas Workforce Commission’s subsidized child care program. TRS Certification is available to Licensed Center and Licensed and Registered Child Care Home providers who meet the certification criteria. The TRS Provider certification system offers three levels of certification (Two-Star, Three-Star, and Four-Star) to encourage providers to attain progressively higher levels of quality leading to a Four-Star level.

 

Current List of Texas Rising Star Providers

TRS Provider List (English Version)

TRS Provider List (Spanish Version)

A children’s playroom is available for children ages 2-10 years old at the McLennan County Workforce Solutions Center. While parents are busy participating in training, job search activities, or other meetings, their children are welcome to use the playroom for up to two hours.

A Child Care Services staff member supervises children in the playroom. Parents/guardians are required to leave a photo ID and must remain at the Workforce Solutions Center during the time their child is visiting the playroom. This playroom is NOT a child care center. Playroom capacity is limited to 10 children, so there is sometimes a waiting list during school holidays and breaks.

Please call (254) 296-5374 for more information.
Playroom Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:30 to 11:30 am and 1:00 – 4:30 pm