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 Workforce SOlutions alamo CHILD CARE services

About Workforce Solutions Alamo Child Care Services

Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) Child Care Services (CCS) provides childcare scholarship assistance to eligible families throughout the Alamo Region. Counties included in the Alamo Region are Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Kendall, Kerr, Karnes, McMullen, Medina, and Wilson. Enrollment in the child care program is subject to the availability of funds and eligible families will be waitlisted. At any time, families may call our office to check on the status of enrollment. Families are encouraged to select a child care provider who will meet their needs and provide the best care available for their children. CCS can offer a variety of options for child care. Care may be provided by a provider that is licensed or registered through Child Care Regulations, or by an eligible relative of the child. Available Child Care Providers have an agreement with WSA to serve CCS families.  Once a WSA CCS Provider, a Provider must work towards meeting requirements that exceed the State’s Minimum Licensing Standards for child care facilities under the Texas Rising Star (TRS) Program. We always encourage families to choose a Texas Rising Star (TRS) provider if possible.  For more information see Section on “Choose Quality Care”.

Contact Us

Hours of Operation

  • Office: 7:45AM to 4:45PM (Monday – Thursday)
  • Office: 7:45AM to 4:30PM (Friday)
  • Phones: 8:00AM to 4:00PM (Monday – Friday)

*Dropbox available 24/7 By Phone, Fax or Email

In Person

  • Childcare Office: 9725 Datapoint, Suite 200, San Antonio, Texas
  • You may also inquire about subsidized childcare at any one of our Workforce Solutions Alamo Career Center.

Eligibility and Waitlist

Enrollment in the childcare program is subject to the availability of funds. The need for child care services is great in our community; therefore, we currently maintain a list of families interested in enrolling in the childcare program. At any time, parents may call our office to check on the status of enrollment.

Eligibility

You may be eligible if you answer yes to the following questions:

1. Are you a resident of one of the following Texas counties?

Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Kendall, Kerr, Karnes, Medina, McMullen, Wilson

2. Is your child is a U.S. citizen, or legal immigrant?

3. Is your child under the age of 13 years of age or under 19 years of age with a disability?

4. Does the child needing care live in the household with you?

5. Are you:

  • A single parent working or in training/school at least twenty-five (25) hours per week?  or
  • A two-parent household with both parents working or in training/school, at least 50 combined hours per week

Families who do not meet the minimum participation requirements for At-Risk child care initial eligibility shall qualify for child care while searching for work that will meet the minimum activity requirements.

  • Initial job searches are limited to one per 12-month eligibility period.
  • Parents enrolling under an initial job search must self-attest they are not meeting the participation requirement and have registered with the state’s labor exchange system.
  • A job search is limited to three months. Child Care Services will continue following this three-month period, if, by the end of the three months, the family meets income eligibility and the following activity requirements:
    • 25 hours for a single parent, with at least 12 hours in employment; or 50 hours combined for dual-parent families, with at least 25 combined hours in employment
    • At the end of the initial three months of eligibility, if the family still does not meet minimum activity requirements, care will be terminated.
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6. Is your average gross monthly/yearly income at or below the amounts listed on the chart by family size? *Tip: Family size includes parents and all children in the household

Child Care Services Sliding Fee Scale BCY23

Waitlist Application Process

If you answered yes to the eligibility questions, please complete the online Waitlist Application using the links below.  You can request a paper version by calling CCS at (210) 230-6300.

WARNING
Parents will be required to pay back amounts paid on their behalf for child-care assistance if those amounts were paid based on inaccurate, misleading, or false information. This includes assistance received because changes were not reported within the time limits.

Requirements for Child care services

Agree to report changes that may affect eligibility within 14 calendar days including:

  • Changes in family income or family size that would cause the family to exceed 85 percent of State Median Income (SMI) for a family of the same size
  • Changes in work or attendance at a job training or educational program not considered to be temporary changes
  • Any change in family residence, primary phone number, or e-mail (if available)
  • Agree to pay the Parent Share of Cost (when applicable)
  • Agree to meet the attendance requirements.
  • Parents must also abide by all other responsibilities and rules related to the CCS Program.

Reporting Changes
Qualifications for child care services are based on a family’s income, size and work/training hours. Therefore, parents are required to report any change in their family circumstances, which affect their eligibility, to CCS within 14 days. Changes that must be reported include:

  • Permanent loss or change of employment, education or job training.
  • Change in income which placed family over 85% SMI.
  • Change in residence/phone number/contact information.

Just because something has changed doesn’t mean you’re not eligible for CCS assistance! Therefore, report changes that occur by contacting us as soon as possible! Please remember some changes need to be reported before they occur. If you wish to change child care providers or terminate your child care services for one or all your children, please contact us prior to making the changes. You can report by one of the following:

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Please see accordion below for Frequently Asked Questions.

Do I Qualify for Child care services?

Below is a summary of the eligibility requirements for CCS:

    1. If you are a single parent household, you must be currently working and/or in job training or attending an educational program for a minimum of 25 hours or more a week. If you are a two-parent household, you must BOTH be currently working and/or in job training or attending an educational program at least 50 combined hours per week.
        1. Families who do not meet the minimum participation requirements for At-Risk child care eligibility but who are otherwise eligible shall qualify for child care while searching for work that will meet the minimum activity requirements.
        2. At the end of the initial three months of eligibility, if the family still does not meet minimum activity requirements, care will be terminated.
        3. If employment participation requirements are met within three months, eligibility will continue for a total of 12 months, inclusive of the three-month initial job search period.
        4. Note: If a family is being redetermined for a new 12-month eligibility period and it is discovered that the family is not meeting eligibility requirements for At-Risk Child Care, care will end. The family may apply/reapply for Initial Job Search Child Care and will be subject to Board’s priority and waiting list.
    2. You meet the income guidelines.
    3. Your child is a U.S. citizen, or legal immigrant, and under the age of 13 years of age or under 19 years of age with a disability.
I am currently enrolled in an educational program. Do I qualify?

If you are a single parent household, you must be currently working and/or in job training or attending an educational program for a minimum of 25 hours or more a week. If you are a two-parent household, you must BOTH be currently working and/or in job training or attending an educational program at least 50 combined hours per week.

If a parent is enrolled full-time in a postsecondary undergraduate education program, then CCS is provided for and does not exceed a cumulative total of 60 months. This limitation applies to parents who are meeting participation requirements by postsecondary education only. Parents who are both working and attending an educational program are not subject to the cumulative 60-month limit.

Educational program—A program that leads to one of the following:

  • A high school diploma
  • A certificate of High School Equivalency
  • An undergraduate degree from an institution of higher education

Attending a job training or educational program—An individual is attending a job training or educational program if the individual:

  • is considered by the program to be officially enrolled;
  • meets all attendance requirements established by the program; and
  • shows progress toward successful completion of the program, demonstrated through continued enrollment in the program at the time of eligibility redetermination

 

I need child care - it is an emergency. What can i do?

Unfortunately, our program is not designed for emergency assistance. We are happy to determine if you are eligible for services, however, if funds are not available, you will need to be placed on a waiting list. If you need emergency services, you may dial 2-1-1. Short term emergency child care services may also be available through Our City Cares at (210) 230-6343

will i have to go on a waiting list?

If funding is unavailable, you will be placed on a waiting list. Once on our waiting list, you will need to update your information every 90 Days. Once the funding becomes available, you will be outreached from the waiting list.

The provider I want has openings. Why do I have to be placed on a waiting list?

Our waiting list is for funding, not provider availability. You may want to ask your child care provider if they can offer you a sliding scale fee or scholarship while you wait for CCS funding to become available.

Why was my name deleted from the waiting list?

In order to stay on the waiting list, it is imperative that you call and update your information every 90 Days. Your information will be purged if it is not updated in the required amount of time. We recommend that you call at least one to two weeks ahead of the expiration date to ensure your case is updated in a timely manner. It is important to remember to write down the date, time, and the name of the specialist you spoke with for future reference.

Which providers do I use once I am on the program?

Parental choice is what drives this program. You have complete control of the placement of your child. You may choose a provider who has an agreement to serve CCS children or use an eligible relative provider.

Texas Child Care Availability Portal

The Texas Child Care Availability Portal is a state-wide system provided by TWC and allows parents to search and filter for child care programs in their area.  Child care programs are encouraged to regularly update their program’s enrollment availability for ages served.

What if I am on TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)?

You need to contact your nearest Workforce Solutions Center and ask about employment and training programs. If eligible, they will refer you to CCS. To locate your neighborhood Workforce Solutions Center, please click here.

I am in care and need to transfer to another provider. What can I do?

Call 210-230-6300 and follow the prompts, as there is an option to request a transfer.  You can also request a transfer by emailing ccs.intake@wsalamo.org. Please note that there is a 14 day wait period for provider transfers unless the transfer qualifies as an emergency.

How is my co-payment determined?

Your cost of care is determined by your average gross monthly income before taxes, including ALL household income, such as overtime, commission, bonuses, incentive pay, other employment, etc., and the number of children receiving child care subsidy.  This fee is payable to the child care provider and it is mandatory that it is paid timely.

What is a pre-kindergarten partnership?

A pre-K partnership is a collaboration formed between a public school pre-K program and one or more quality-rated child care providers, with the goal of providing high-quality care and education to eligible three- and four-year-old children.

Pre-K partnerships provide numerous benefits to families, child care programs, school districts, and open enrollment charter school networks.

Pre-K partnerships provide families with the following benefits:

  • Access to high-quality pre-K to help children transition to kindergarten
  • Consistency between the school day and before or after care
  • More accommodating hours for working parents who need a full workday of care for their child
  • A child care curriculum aligned with that of the local school district in order to increase children’s school readiness
How Can I share my Success Story?

We want to know how the CCS Program has helped you and/or your family. Click here to share your success story with us.

How Can I Rate My Recent Experience with CCS?

We strive to offer the very best customer service possible. Please help us improve by telling us about the service you received during your most recent experience with CCS. Click here to fill out our survey.

What if I am looking for a job but not currently employed or in training?

Families who do not meet the minimum participation requirements for At-Risk child care initial eligibility shall qualify for child care while searching for work that will meet the minimum activity requirements.

  • • Initial job searches are limited to one per 12-month eligibility period.
  • • Parents enrolling under an initial job search must self-attest they are not meeting the participation requirement and have registered with the state’s labor exchange system.
  • • A job search is limited to three months. Child Care Services will continue following this three-month period, if, by the end of the three months, the family meets income eligibility and the following activity requirements:
    • 25 hours for a single parent, with at least 12 hours in employment; or 50 hours combined for dual-parent families, with at least 25 combined hours in employment
    • At the end of the initial three months of eligibility, if the family still does not meet minimum activity requirements, care will be terminated.

Choosing your child care provider

Choose Quality Child Care Providers
Parents who qualify for CCS will be asked to select the provider of their choice who best meets the needs of their family on a space available basis.

  • When possible, choose a provider who meets quality child care standards. Choosing a high-quality program can have a significant impact on your child’s readiness for success in kindergarten and later grades.
  • Texas Government Code §2308.3171 defines a “quality child care indicator” as any appropriate indicator of quality services, including if the provider is:
    • A Texas Rising Star (TRS) certified provider;
    • Accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization approved by the Texas Workforce Commission;
    • Kindergarten Readiness System certified; or
    • Participating in the Texas School Ready! Project
  • The Texas Rising Star program is a quality-based child care rating system of child care providers participating in the Texas Workforce Commission’s child care scholarship program. The TRS Provider certification system offers three levels of certification (Two-Star, Three-Star, and Four-Star) to encourage providers to attain progressively higher certification requirements leading to a Four-Star level. You can find more information at https://texasrisingstar.org/ or Texas Child Care Solutions
  • The Texas School Ready! (TSR!) critical instructional components of TSR! include: research-based curriculum, ongoing professional development through classroom mentoring, and progress monitoring of children through personal digital assistant devices.
  • Click here to view the providers within the Alamo Area who meet Quality Child Care Standards (PDF)

All Available Child Care Providers
The Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) Provider Map is a web-based child care resource tool to help parents find child care facilities who have an agreement to provide childcare scholarships under WSA Child Care Services (CCS) funding.

State and federal funding enables us to assist you in selecting a child care provider who will meet your needs and provide the best care available for your children. There are several child care options available to you. You may choose from the following:

  • Registered or Licensed Child Care Home
  • Licensed Child Care Center
  • Approved Relative Child Care provider

Registered and Licensed Child Care Homes
Registered and Licensed Child Care Homes and Licensed Child Care Centers must go through an application process, orientation, and inspection by Child Care Licensing before a permit to operate is issued. All staff must meet minimum training requirements related to care and education of children, including CPR and first aid as well as have a high school diploma or GED.  No more than 12 children can be in care at any time, including children of the caregiver.

Licensed Child Care Centers
Child care centers operate out of non-residential, commercial buildings. The children are usually divided into groups or classrooms according to age. Child care centers have a center director and several staff members. Centers typically offer a structured, classroom-like environment. Licensed Child Care Centers care for seven (7) or more children for less than 24 hours per day at a location other than the child’s or caregiver’s home.

Relative Child Care
Relative Child Care allows a parent to use a relative of the child as the child care provider. An eligible relative is an individual who does not reside in the same household as the child, is at least 18 years of age, and is by marriage, blood relationship, or court decree, one of the following: the child’s grandparent or great-grandparent; the child’s aunt or uncle; or the child’s sibling. Individuals who are listed on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Sex Offender Registry are not eligible to be a relative care provider. Relative Child Care is not monitored by child care licensing or CCS staff. Relative providers must be “Listed” with Child Care Licensing.

 

Helpful Resources in Choosing a Provider

Texas Child Care Availability Portal

The Texas Child Care Availability Portal is a state-wide system provided by TWC and allows parents to search and filter for child care programs in their area.  Child care programs are encouraged to regularly update their program’s enrollment availability for ages served.

Before visiting a childcare facility, it is helpful to identify basic family needs that you look for in a childcare program. These needs may include: location, hours of operation, and transportation services.

It is important to consider the Child Care Regulation history of the providers you are interested in.  View Child Care Regulation History at https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Care/Search_Texas_Child_Care/ppFacilitySearchDayCare.asp

Find information on health and safety requirements, the prevention and control of infectious diseases (including immunizations), building and physical premises safety, minimum health and safety training appropriate to the provider setting, and the regulatory compliance history of child care providers.  Go to https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/safety/child-care

Local child care licensing phone number:

Once you have narrowed down your choices, visit the potential providers and use the questions below to determine which provider best meets your needs. In addition to the questions, spend a few minutes with the caregiver and ask about length of employment, training received, etc.

  • Does the Facility meet one of the Quality Child Care Indicators?
  • Is the staff willing to let you go through the facility to see the children’s activities?
  • Are parents welcome to visit anytime?
  • Do the rooms and equipment look clean and safe?
  • Are the bathrooms and kitchen clean and sanitary?
  • Are there enough toys both indoors and out? Are the toys washed or sanitized frequently?
  • Are there enough people to care for all the children and are the children supervised at all times?
  • Does the caregiver interact with the children, call the children by name, give hugs or praise them often? Does the caregiver seem warm and understanding?
  • Are there daily activities that will challenge your child, stimulate creativity and develop social skills?
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