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.
Get Started!
- Becoming a Provider
- Quality Improvement Programs
- Relative Care
- Staff Training
- Wage Supplement Information
- Inclusion Services
- ASQ Training
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.
Three Basic Requirements to Become a Contracted Provider:
Requirement 1: Licensing and Registration
To have an agreement to provide child care services, a provider:
- Must have a current license or registration with the Texas Department of Health and Human Services (TDHHS), the United States Military Services, or the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) as a child care center, licensed day care home, registered family home, or a youth camp
- Must not be on corrective or adverse action or corrective denial with these agencies
- Must have established a satisfactory compliance history with these agencies
- May not be an “Applicant Status” with Child Care Licensing
Note: We will also consult with other agencies such as the Child Care Food Program of the Texas Department of Health & Human Services to determine whether a satisfactory compliance history has been established.
Requirement 2: Abiding by Terms of the Provider Agreement
To have an agreement with WFS Capital Area CCS, a child care provider must:
- Sign a provider agreement, which is also signed by a representative of Workforce Solutions Capital Area
- Agree to abide by the terms of the provider agreement
Requirement 3: Attend a Program Orientation
In addition to the agreement requirements, interested providers must schedule an individual appointment by contacting WFS Capital Area CCS.
As part of our commitment to quality child care, Workforce Solutions Child Care Services offers quality rated programs, quality initiative activities and other community resources to child care providers who strive for quality.
Quality Rated Programs
Texas Rising Star Providers
The Texas Rising Star program is for child care providers who meet quality requirements that exceed the state’s minimum licensing standards and that are designed to enhance the intellectual, physical, and social development of children in care. In return for their commitment to quality, providers receive numerous benefits including enhanced reimbursement rates, learning materials and equipment, child development college course scholarships, and more. Click here for more information on qualifying for the Texas Rising Star program.
Texas School Ready!™ Grant Project (TSR!)
Formerly known as TEEM-Texas Early Education Model, the TSR! Grant Project is a high quality early childhood model, based on proven school readiness components. This program is administered by the Children’s Learning Institute (CLI).
Kindergarten Readiness System (KRS)
Formerly known as Texas School Ready Certification System (SRCS), KRS evaluates the effectiveness of prekindergarten, Head Start, and community-based licensed child care programs in preparing children for kindergarten.
Quality Child Care Collaborative (QC3)
The Quality Child Care Collaborative is a partnership between WFS Capital Area the City of Austin, Travis County, United Way Success by 6, and Austin Community College. The goal of the program is to help providers become Texas Rising Star Providers and meet other national quality standards. Participating providers will receive free mentoring and training, technical assistance, referrals, and resources.
Success By 6
In partnership with United Way Capital Area, Success By 6 is a community-wide initiative of public and private partners working together to ensure all children under age six are healthy, nurtured, safe, and prepared to succeed in school. For more information on Success By 6, please visit United Way Capital Area’s website.
Technical Assistance to Providers
We offer child care providers access to a professional staff person with extensive knowledge of child care programs. Whether you need technical assistance in implementing quality program or addressing compliance challenges, our staff can assist you in your goal to become an outstanding child care provider. Please contact us at 512.549.4967, option 5.
Training Opportunities
We sponsor numerous training for child care providers throughout the year. Topics include Health & Safety, Infant/Toddler Care, Early Brain Development, Partnering with Parents, and Supervision 101. See Staff Training Section more information.
Child Care Director Symposiums
WFS Capital Area Child Care Services is the founder and co-host of the Child Care Directors Symposium, a two-day conference that aims to help child care directors learn important skills for business administration and quality improvement. The symposium is held in both the Capital Area and Rural Capital Area service delivery area and offer topics such as budgeting, evaluating staff, and time management. Information regarding upcoming symposiums is sent to all Travis county providers and surrounding Rural Capital area counties.
Wage Supplements
The Jeannette Watson Wage Supplement Project is a salary supplement program. The salary supplement is intended as a means of identifying professionals who have furthered their education in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field. To be eligible, applicants must be working directly with children in a licensed child care facility and earning $14.00 or less per hour, and must have worked in their current facility for the past consecutive six months prior to initiating the application process. For more information, please contact us at 512.549.4967, option 5.
Community Resources
Through a collaborative with community and state organizations, we provide additional quality improvement programs to childcare providers. These organizations include Austin Community College, Institute for Child Care Excellence, Raising Austin, and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area Child Care Services is dedicated to helping area childcare providers deliver quality childcare. We sponsor numerous trainings for childcare providers throughout the year. Featured Topics Include:
- Health & Safety
- Infant/Toddler Care
- Early Brain Development
- Early Literacy
- Guidance & Discipline
- Transition Activities
- Partnering with Parents
- Professionalism
- Supervision 101
Visit our Eventbrite page to view current training opportunities.
How Do I Register?
Training registration will open one month prior to the training month.
- Registration is free.
- Training is for Travis County child care providers.
- Seating is limited.
- Children are not allowed at training.
- Confirmation, Cancellations and Reminders will be sent via email. Please ensure an email address is denoted for each attendee.
- Only 10 participants per program will be allowed.
Click here to register for training. If you have registered and are unable to attend, please be courteous and contact us at ccsregistration@wfscapitalarea.com or (512) 597-7187.
The salary supplement is intended as a means of identifying professionals who have furthered their education in Early Childhood Education and work with children from low-income families. This is an effort towards helping our valuable Early Childhood teachers and directors continue to work in a field where wages are not commensurate with other skilled positions.
All awards are based on experience in childcare and education level obtained. Award levels will be determined after applications are submitted. Supplements will be awarded based on available funding. Previous awards do not guarantee future payments.
Download:
Please apply using our online application. Prior to completing the application, please set up a TECPDS account to upload your transcript and paycheck stub. This must be done BEFORE your application is submitted. Completing this paperwork does not mean you are awarded. Download TECPDS instructions.
Please note: All paperwork must be submitted online on or before March 22, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. to be considered. Please e-mail CCSJW@wfscapitalarea.com with any questions.
Inclusion services are designed to support children with developmental and/or behavioral concerns within their current Early Learning Program (ELP) setting. By providing strategies and resources, we aim to help you and parents create a more inclusive environment that promotes healthy child development.
How It Works
- Inclusion Request: Parent will need to complete the Request for Inclusion Services form with the ELP and then the ELP will email the request to ccs.support@wfscapitalarea.com.
- Developmental Screenings: An Inclusion Specialist will set up a time with the parent to discuss the parent’s concerns and complete screenings for developmental and/or behavioral concerns.
- Classroom Observation: An Inclusion Specialist will observe the child in their classroom to gain a better understanding of their behavior and interactions.
- Strategy Development: Based on the parent’s concerns, developmental screenings, and observation, the Specialist will provide parents and teachers with practical strategies to implement in the child’s daily routine.
- Resource Sharing: We’ll connect parents and the ELP with relevant resources and information to assist in developing a long-term plan for the child’s ongoing support.
ELIGIBILITY FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
In some cases, children may qualify for additional funding through the Inclusion Reimbursement Rate. The parent must make a request to ccs.support@wfscapitalarea.com. To be eligible, a child must have one of the following:
- An Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
- Be receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
If the child qualifies an Inclusion Specialist will write an Inclusion Plan with the parent and the ELP. This additional funding can be used to make the ELP setting more inclusive and supportive for the child’s specific needs.
Empowering Early Learning Programs with ASQ Training
We offer comprehensive support to Early Learning Programs (ELP), including training on implementing effective developmental screening tools. By participating in this training, ELPs will receive:
- Certified Training Hours: To meet professional development requirements.
- Physical Materials: Tangible resources to aid in the screening process.
- Software Access: A digital platform for efficient in-house screening of children.
We recommend the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) as a screening tool. The ASQ-3 assesses overall developmental, while the ASQ:SE-2 focuses on behavioral and social-emotional development.
Benefits of Using ASQ
- Early Identification: Pinpoint potential developmental delays and concerns in young children.
- Quality Assurance: Demonstrate a commitment to high-quality early learning practices.
- Enhanced Reputation: Attract families seeking exceptional early childhood education.
- Compliance: Meet Texas Rising Star (TRS) requirements for developmental screenings.
- Improved Program Performance: Potentially raise TRS scores.
- Informed Decision-Making: Utilize data to inform program planning, identify strengths and weaknesses, and track progress over time.
- Family Engagement: Involve families in their child’s development, promote positive interactions, and provide valuable resources.
- A Brighter Future: By implementing ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2, Early Learning Programs can significantly impact the lives of young children and their families.
How to Apply
Click here to fill out the ASQ Training Interest Form.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
ASQ training is prioritized by how many CCS children the ELP serves and TRS status. A member of the ASQ team will reach out to the ELP to schedule a good date and time for the training.
Contact Us
If you need an immediate response, please call or visit one of our three Career Centers directly.
