County commissioners have taken their biggest step yet towards getting families tangible access to child care following a voter-approved tax increase to fund sweeping investment in that sector last November. Of the $75 million approved last year, the county has awarded $21 million in two contracts with Workforce Solutions Capital Area to provide direct scholarships to families and gap funding to prop up inadequately state-subsidized providers.
Category: Child Care
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Travis County affordable child care expansion reaches $55 million
Travis County commissioners approved an additional $21 million in contracts Oct. 7 to expand child care under the newly rebranded Raising Travis County initiative, formerly known as Travis County CARES.
Less than a year after voters passed a countywide tax rate hike to boost affordable child care, the county has now doled out a total of $55 million toward the effort. -
1,000 affordable child care slots are opening in Travis County before the end of the year
A thousand more kids in Travis County will have access to affordable child care as early as December thanks to a new set of contracts the Travis County Commissioners Court approved with Workforce Solutions.
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Millions now out the door for child care after Travis County voters approved tax rate hike
After Travis County residents overwhelmingly voted ‘yes’ on a tax rate hike to help the county create more affordable child care, Travis County Commissioners approved two contracts to get that voter-approved taxpayer money out the door Tuesday.
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Travis County launches $21M program to create 1,000 additional child care scholarships
Travis County is launching a new child care program called Raising Travis County.
On Tuesday, commissioners approved $21 million in funding to create another 1,000 child care scholarships for families. The money comes from a child care initiative voters approved last year.
Officials say this will help children and parents in Travis County.
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“Thank You for Demonstrating Love” | Jemie’s Story of Child Care and Support
When Jemie talks about her partnership with Workforce Solutions CCS, she doesn’t just mention funding or checklists — she talks about love.
With CCS support, she’s been able to access training, mentorship, compliance tools, and guidance — all of which have helped her center stay open and serve families with confidence and compassion.
“It’s not just an assignment. They care. You’re not alone in this.”
In Jemie’s words: “Thank you for demonstrating love.”
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Travis County expands pre-K with $4.85M from Prop A for Austin, Del Valle, Manor ISDs
Travis County commissioners approved agreements with several local school districts to expand access to pre-Kindergarten programs, using the voter-approved Child Care and Out-of-School Time Fund, a program aimed at expanding childcare access and affordability for working families.
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Austin ISD will begin offering free after-school child care for eligible prekindergarten students at nine campuses this semester
The Travis County Commissioners Court approved a $3.7 million, two-year contract to fund the new Apple Blossom Centers at an Aug. 26 meeting.
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Travis County rolls out $35 million for affordable child care
Travis County families struggling with the rising cost of child care may soon get some relief.
This week, county leaders announced the first phase of funding of $35 million from Prop A, a tax rate increase approved by voters last November that expands access to affordable child care in Travis County.
“We will mark this time in history as the turning point for 9,000 families who couldn’t otherwise afford quality child care for their children,” Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea (Precinct 2).
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Travis County moving forward with voter-approved child care fund
Travis County is moving forward with its voter-approved child care fund. Leaders say the first contracts, worth nearly $5 million, will go to three school districts.