Eligibility

Regulated child care providers, a provider caring for an eligible child in a location other than the eligible child’s own residence, and one of the following:

• Licensed by the Texas Child Care Regulations (CCR)
• Registered with CCR
• Operated and monitored by the United States military services
• Relative child care providers are an individual who is at least 18 years of age, and is, by marriage, blood relationship or court decree, one of the following:
  • The child’s grandparent
  • The child’s great-grandparent
  • The child’s aunt
  • The child’s uncle
  • The child’s sibling (if the sibling does not reside in the same household as the eligible child)

Once a CCS Provider

• You will be assigned a designated staff member to work with.
• You will be paid at the Board Maximum Reimbursement Rate or your Published Rate, whichever is lower.
• You can apply to become a Texas Rising Star (TRS) provider and earn even higher reimbursement rates.
• As a regular provider you will be paid 12 holidays per year. TRS Providers are paid 15 holidays per year.
• Nationally Accredited? Some National Accreditations allow you to become TRS certified at the highest level immediately after submitting a TRS application.
• You can grow your business!  Expansion grants are available to eligible providers.
• You can increase diversity by serving more children from your community.
• Mentors are available to providers interested in the Texas Rising Star (TRS) certification.

Resources

Workforce Solutions Alamo often offers some resources that can assist a Provider and its staff in reaching their highest professional potential.  Some resources may include, based upon availability:

• T. E.A.C.H.scholarship fee assistance
• Funding for the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™
• Free or cost-effective training opportunities for you and your staff
• Stipends, Grants and/or Scholarships
• Material purchases

Potential CCS providers must:

• Have a current license from Child Care Regulations as a child care center, licensed child care home or a registered child care home or Operated and monitored by the United States Military Services. If you do not have a valid license; please contact Child Care Regulations at 210-337-3399.
• Not have an outstanding balance owed to the CCS Program.
• Not be debarred from any other State or Federal Programs. 
• CCS regulated programs must meet Entry Level Designation at the time a CCS Provider Agreement is initiated and have 24 months from that date to achieve Texas Rising Star level certification.

Sign-Up Process

1. Submit a Provider Packet online at https://www.cognitoforms.com/WSAChildCare/providerpacket1 or contact CCS for a paper packet
2. Submit required documents:
   • License from Child Care Regulations
   • Published rates on Letter Head
   • Document to validate ownership of the child care facility (DBA or Assumed Name Certificate)
   • Federal Employer Identification (EIN) or Social Security card (absent an EIN)
   • Current Texas driver’s license (for Child Care Homes)
   • Parent Handbook that relates to your services
   • Signed letter from current bank to validate account owner (include routing and full account number)
   • W9 Form https://www.cognitoforms.com/WSAChildCare/W9
3. CCS Provider staff will review the forms for accuracy and completion.
4. The Rate Calculation Worksheet will be completed by CCS staff and sent for signature.

Note: Documents not submitted through the online form can be submitted by: faxing to (210) 277-2718, e-mailing to providers@wsalamo.org or bringing/mailing clear copies to 9725 Datapoint Dr. Suite 200, San Antonio, 78229.

Return documents by postal mail, email, in person or fax:
Child Care Services
(Attn: Provider Services)
9725 Datapoint Dr. Suite 200
San Antonio, TX 78229
Fax (210) 277-2718
Providers@wsalamo.org

​Once the provider packet and documents have been received; a review process will be initiated.  If anything is needed; you will be contacted.  You may view a copy of the Provider Regulated handbook here.

Rates

• Infant – 0 to 17 months
• Toddler – 18 to 35 months
• Preschool – 36 to 71 months
• School-age – 72 months to 13 years

Current Maximum Reimbursement Daily Rates (PDF)

Providers must abide by all requirements as listed in the signed Provider Agreement.

Collecting Parent Share of Cost

• Are responsible for collecting the parent share of cost as assessed before child care services are delivered
• Are responsible for collecting other child care funds received by the parent
• Report in a timely manner instances in which the parent fails to pay the parent share of cost

Closures

Prior to October 1st of each year, Providers will need to submit their list of holidays and business closures. Parents must be notified of holiday schedules at least two weeks in advance.
In addition, Providers must notify CCS within five business days when they are closed due to extenuating circumstances, such as icy roads (when the local school is also closed for that day), fire, electrical or gas outage, etc. These dates will be recognized as closed business days that will not affect the total number of allowable absences for the child.

Change in Rates

If Provider Published Rates change, the Provider will inform CCS within the timeframe required and provide a copy of the written rates to CCS.  If the Board Maximum Reimbursement Rates change, CCS will inform the Provider within the timeframe required.

Electronic Communication

Electronic communication should not be used to solicit or sell products or services that are unrelated to the Company’s business, distract, intimidate, or harass WSA/CCS or third parties.  In addition, electronic communication is subject to applicable state and federal laws and WSA/CCS policies and procedures on confidentiality.  Using electronic communication to transmit racist, sexist, threatening, or otherwise objectionable or illegal material, defined as any visual, textual, or auditory entity, file, or data, is strictly prohibited. If you violate any of the above policies, you could be subject to corrective action including the termination of the provider agreement.

CCS encourages parents to choose a provider who meets quality child care standards. Choosing a high-quality program can have a significant impact on a 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

Texas Rising Star

TRS Provider certification is a process for improving the quality of child care services provided in Texas. A TRS Provider is a child care provider that has an agreement with Child Care Services (CCS) to serve Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Scholarship children and that meets requirements that exceed the State’s Minimum Licensing Standards for child care facilities. The TRS certification system provides graduated levels of certification as providers meet progressively higher certification requirements. Certification as a TRS Provider is available to Licensed Center, Licensed Child Care Home, and Registered Child Care Home providers who meet the certification criteria. The process improves the quality of child care provided, not only to TWC Scholarship children, but to all children enrolled in certified facilities. TRS certified providers are eligible for an enhanced reimbursement rate.

• To learn more about Texas Rising Star and to submit an Interest Form, please visit: texasrisingstar.org
• Click here for TRS Guidelines.

Nationally Recognized Accreditation Organizations

• National Association for the Education of Young Children
• National Early Childhood Program Accreditation
• National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Program
• Association of Christian Schools International
• National Association for Family Child Care
• Council of Accreditation (formerly the National After School Association)
• Cognia (formally AdvancED Quality Early Learning Schools)

Texas School Ready

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.

Quality Partnership Initiative

The Quality Partnership Initiative is designed to increase the number of and access to high-quality early education and school-age care in the Alamo region. We focus on child care program support through quality mentoring, training, and education in order to help your program reach its goal of achieving and maintaining Texas Rising Star Certification. The benefits of our program include one-on-one mentoring, technical assistance, priority for professional development opportunities, as well as financial incentives. To get started on a path of continuous quality improvement, please click on the links for the provider letter and mentoring application.

• Submit Online Interest Form
• Mentoring Service Agreement

Please call 210-582-1554 or email trs_mentors@wsalamo.org if you’re interested in becoming a TRS provider in the Alamo region.

Training Opportunities & Resources

• Go to the ReadyKidSA website readykidsa.com. Click “Provider Resources”, then click on “Professional Development Calendar”.
• Go to the Family Service Association’s website at Family-Service.org. Click on “Our Services”, then “Child Care Resource & Referral”, then “Providers”.
• Go to the San Antonio Association for the Education of Young Children at wordpress.com. Click on Calendar.
• Go to the Family & Consumer Science section of the Texas Cooperative Extension’s website at tamu.edu. You may also contact the Extension agent at (210)467-6575 for Bexar County, (830) 257-6568 for Kerr, Kendall, Gillespie, Bandera & Medina Counties. Call (512)393-2120 for Guadalupe & Wilson counties.
• Go to the Southern Early Childhood Association’s website at southernearlychildhood.org
• Go to the National Association for Regulatory Administration’s website at naralicensing.org.
• Go to the National Child Care Association’s website at nccanet.org or call 1-800-543-7161.
• Go to the National Association for Family Child Care’s (NAFCC) website at nafcc.org
• Go to the Texas Licensed Child Care Association’s website at tlcca.org.
• Go to the Council for Professional Recognition’s website at cdacouncil.org
• Go to Texas Early Care and Education Career Development System- TECECDS (org) for the Texas Trainer Registry, which is a database of qualified trainers all across Texas in the early childhood field.
• Go to Texas AgriLife Extension website at tamu.edu

• Administration for Children and Families : A federal agency funding state, local, and tribal organizations to provide programs for children and families
• Center for Public Policy Priorities: A policy research organization that works to influence the economic and social conditions of individuals, families, and communities
• Center for the Child Care Workforce: Works to improve the quality of child care services by upgrading the wages, benefits, training opportunities, and working conditions for child care teachers and family child care providers
• Child Care Aware: Is committed to helping parents locate quality child care and child care resources in their community by connecting them with the local agencies best equipped to serve their needs
• Children’s Defense Fund: Child advocacy organization that works to ensure children a safe and healthy life
• Council for Professional Recognition: Home of the Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program, and related professional improvement opportunities that contribute to the field of early childhood education
• Children’s Learning Institute: The mission of the Children’s Learning Institute (CLI) is to create a quality learning environment for all children through classroom curriculum, teacher mentoring, clinical programs, and applied research. Our goal is to make sure every child is equipped to learn and able to excel.
• Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center Offered by the Administration for Children and Families,
• Office of Head Start: Head Start Information and Publication Center: Source for Head Start publications, including Program Performance Standards, Information Memorandums, and more
• National After School Association : A leading voice of the after-school profession dedicated to the development, education, and care of children and youth during their out-of-school hours
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) : Devoted to assuring the provision of high-quality early childhood programs for young children
• National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) : Focuses on providing technical assistance to family child care associations by developing leadership, professionalism, addressing issues of diversity, and promoting quality through NAFCC’s Family Child Care accreditation
• National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI): Improves and protects the quality of life of African-American children and families
• National Child Care Association (NCCA) : A professional trade association focused exclusively on the needs of licensed, private childhood care and education programs and is the only organization representing the specific interests of the licensed, private community
• National Network for Child Care (NNCC) : Networks with committed individuals around the country to bring you practical information and resources that will be useful to you in your everyday work with children
• National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care : Provides child care licensure regulations for each state as well as health and safety tips, and other resources
• National School-Age Care Alliance (NSACA ): Promotes quality school-age care and encourages before- and after-school programs to seek accreditation through their organization
• Parent Companion: A guide for Texas parents and caregivers of children with diagnosed or suspected disabilities from birth through 5 years of age.
• Prevent Child Abuse Texas: The leading organization working to prevent the abuse and neglect of our state’s children
• Texans Care for Children: Provides information for advocates and policymakers about the well-being of children
• Texas Association for Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (TACCRRA): Works to promote the partnership, improvement, and preservation of quality child care resource and referral services
• Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TAEYC): Is an affiliate of NAEYC and is committed to excellence in early childhood education
• Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition (TECEC) Opens in New Window : The mission of the Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition is to build a system of quality early care and education that prepares children in Texas for success in their education and life
• Texas Child Care Solutions: The purpose of TCCS is to provide parents access to accurate and consistent information to assist them in making informed choices to meet their child care needs.
• Texas Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS): Administers state and federal human services programs that benefit low-income families and children, victims of domestic violence, and people who are elderly or have disabilities
• Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS): Government agency that manages community-based programs that prevent delinquency, ill-treatment, and exploitation of children, the elderly, and disabled adults
• U.S. Bureau of the Census: Offers useful child care data, i.e., child care costs and use of various child care arrangements
• USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program: Provides nutritious meals and snacks to infants, young children, and impaired adults in day care
• Welfare Information Network: Clearinghouse for information, policy analysis, and technical assistance on welfare reform, including child care benefits
• Zero to Three: Promotes the healthy development of our nation’s infants and toddlers by supporting and strengthening families, communities, and those who work on their behalf

Emergencies

• Call your local law enforcement agency or 911 immediately if you have an emergency or life-threatening situation

Child Abuse and Neglect

• Report child abuse or neglect at 1-800-252-5400 or at txabusehotline.org
• For General Information please visit: Prevent Child Abuse Texas or Help for Parents, Hope for Kids
• For Signs of Abuse please visit: Healthy Children

More Information

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has a central place to report child abuse and neglect; abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation of the elderly or adults with disabilities living at home; abuse of children in child-care facilities or treatment centers; and abuse of adults and children who live in state facilities or are being helped by programs for people with mental illness or intellectual disabilities.

Texas law says anyone who thinks a child, or person 65 years or older, or an adult with disabilities is being abused, neglected, or exploited must report it to DFPS.

A person who reports abuse in good faith is immune from civil or criminal liability. DFPS keeps the name of the person making the report confidential. Anyone who does not report suspected abuse can be held liable for a misdemeanor or felony.

Time frames for investigating reports are based on the severity of the allegations. Reporting suspected abuse makes it possible for a family to get help.

Potential Providers

• Provider Packet https://www.cognitoforms.com/WSAChildCare/ProviderPacket

Current Providers

• Holiday Form https://www.cognitoforms.com/wsachildcare/holidayform2324
• Provider ACH Authorization https://www.cognitoforms.com/WSAChildCare/ProviderACHAuthorization

Relative Providers

• Provider EVF https://www.cognitoforms.com/WSAChildCare/ProviderEVF

• Relative Provider Packet https://www.cognitoforms.com/WSAChildCare/RelativeProviderPacket

Provider Success Story

https://www.cognitoforms.com/WSAChildCare/ProviderSuccessStory

W-9 Form

https://www.cognitoforms.com/WSAChildCare/W9

Please see accordion below for FAQs.