TWC, HHSC Collaborate to Launch COVID-19 Child Care Resources Website for Essential Workers
Date: April 6, 2020
Media Contact: Cisco Gamez
Phone: 512-463-8556
New site, www.FrontlineChildCare.Texas.Gov will help workers locate safe, regulated child care options near them.
AUSTIN- At midnight on Friday, the state’s Frontline Child Care Task Force launched FrontlineChildCare.Texas.Gov. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), in partnership with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), launched this new website to help essential workers in Texas locate child care during the COVID-19 pandemic. With funding from TWC, the Frontline Child Care Availability Portal allows workers to search for child care facilities near them, as well as hours they are open and the number of seats available.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it particularly difficult for parents who still have to work in essential jobs, but have young children and need child care,” said TWC Executive Director Ed Serna. “With schools closed, finding an alternative on such short notice is very difficult. Texas needs these essential workers on the job, but they need the peace of mind of having a safe, regulated facility to take care of their children.”
The state’s Frontline Child Care Task Force, which includes representatives from TWC, HHSC, the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, worked collaboratively on the project. The Task Force recommends that in order to adhere to the best standards of social distancing, parents should leave children in the care of relatives if possible. For some workers, this can be difficult. The new website will feature a map of licensed child care centers, licensed child care homes, and registered child care homes to help families find one that works for them. It will also include links to inspection and compliance records for each operation provided by Texas HHSC, which regulates child care operations in Texas.
“To support this effort, we reached out to child care providers all over the state and have seen a tremendous response from those who are willing and able to step up and offer care for children whose family members are on the front lines during this COVID crisis," said David Kostroun, Deputy Executive Commissioner of Regulatory Services for Texas HHSC. “Our goal is to make it easier for people in essential jobs to find safe, regulated child care operations they can rely on during this time.”
TWC recently allocated $20,000,000 in funds to help essential workers cover the cost of child care during COVID-19. For details on how to apply, please contact your local workforce development board or visit: https://twc.texas.gov/news/covid-19-resources-child-care. The www.FrontlineChildCare.Texas.Gov website also will help parents find basic information about child care: health and safety, regulations and step-by-step instructions for applying for a child care subsidy.
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The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org. To receive notifications about TWC programs and services subscribe to our email updates.
