Earlier this year the U.S. Congress authorized increases in Child Care and Development Block Grant funds – dollars which pay for early education/child care financial aid to eligible working parents.  The Texas Workforce Commission distributed those increased dollars to workforce boards throughout the state and asked that boards open enrollments for this financial aid right away.

We now have about 10,000 working families on our financial aid wait list.  To begin authorizing aid for the eligible families on that list, we request the Board’s approval to amend our 2018 Workforce Solutions contract with BakerRipley – the contractor that makes the payments to child care providers on behalf of the eligible parents.

The proposed amendment will allow Workforce Solutions to move at least 1,000 families and 2,000 children off the wait list and into child care by September 30.  We would continue moving families into care after September through Workforce Solutions 2019 contracts.

Texas Workforce Commission

 Yes

Request authorization to increase the 2018 contract with BakerRipley for Workforce Solutions financial aid by up to $11,200,000 for early education/child care support to at least 1,000 additional families. (Staff Contact: Mike Temple)