Child Care & Early Learning COVID-19 Information
Update – May 22, 2020
Child Care Services (CCS) Provider Update
Effective June 1, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will reinstate the requirement for parents receiving financial assistance for child care services to pay for a portion of their costs. As children return to their child care centers, parents will resume paying their parent share of cost (PSC) fees to the child care center directors.
TWC will also continue to pay providers when children are absent and is paying a 25% enhanced reimbursement rate over and above what the provider regularly receives.
Effective June 1, 2020, child care providers may once again begin collecting the parent share of cost (PSC) fees from the parents of children who attend their centers. A friendly reminder, all PSC fees are due at the beginning of the month and must be collected (in full) prior to services being provided.
Child Care Services (CCS) Program Participant Update
Effective June 1, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will reinstate the requirements for parents receiving financial assistance for child care services to pay for a portion of their costs. As children return to their child care centers, parents will resume paying their parent share of cost (PSC) fees to the child care center director. Parents who are unable to pay their PSC fees should contact Child Care Services (CCS) at (361)882-7491 ext. 426 to discuss their situation. A friendly reminder, all PSC fees should be paid to the child care center prior to services being provided.
Update – May 20, 2020
Attention Child Care Providers and Parents
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will begin phasing out the emergency program to subsidize child care for Texas’ essential workers. In March, TWC Commissioners authorized $200 million to local Workforce Development Boards to subsidize three months of child care for essential workers, and to support the higher costs of child care during COVID-19 as a result of the smaller class sizes. This effort was intended to help ensure that essential workers who hadn’t planned for child care during public school closures had access to this critical support service to ensure that they could continue to work and support the COVID-19 recovery needs.
As Texas’ economy begins to re-open, TWC will begin phasing out COVID-19 Essential Worker Child Care Services effective immediately.
Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend (WFSCB) encourages customers who need full-time child care services to complete a Wait List Application for Child Care Services listing their name and contact information and be placed on the waitlist. As funds become available, customers on the waitlist will be contacted and informed of the enrollment process to determine their eligibility to receive child care services.
Whether it is on the phone, email or text, we are still here to help you. Call us at 361-882-7491 or email info@workforcesolutionscb.org.
Stay healthy and safe. We will see you soon. Thank you for your patience.
Texas Workforce Commission Update on Unemployment Insurance Benefits
March 17, 2020
Waiting Week and Search Requirements Waived for Unemployment Insurance Benefits
To support the impact the COVID-19 virus is having on the state’s economy and its workforce, the waiting week and search requirements are being waived for Unemployment Benefits. The waiting week is the first payable week of an individual’s claim for Unemployment Benefits.
Those seeking to apply for Unemployment Benefits will need to submit an application. In order to apply you will need:
- Last employer’s business name and address
- First and last dates (month, day and year) you worked for your last employer
- Number of hours worked and pay rate if you worked this week (including Sunday)
- Information related to your normal wage
- Alien Registration Number (if not a U.S. citizen or national)
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Employer Resources
Employers are encouraged to enroll in the Shared Work program as an alternative to layoffs. For more information about the Shared Work Program and to apply visit the twc.texas.gov/businesses/shared-work. However, if you are faced with temporary or permanent layoffs of 10 or more employees, you may qualify to enroll in the Mass Claims program. Please see this FAQ Sheet or visit TWC’s COVID-19 Resources for Employers page for more information.
Child Care & Early Learning COVID-19 Information
Update – May 20, 2020
Attention Child Care Providers and Parents
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will begin phasing out the emergency program to subsidize child care for Texas’ essential workers. In March, TWC Commissioners authorized $200 million to local Workforce Development Boards to subsidize three months of child care for essential workers, and to support the higher costs of child care during COVID-19 as a result of the smaller class sizes. This effort was intended to help ensure that essential workers who hadn’t planned for child care during public school closures had access to this critical support service to ensure that they could continue to work and support the COVID-19 recovery needs.
As Texas’ economy begins to re-open, TWC will begin phasing out COVID-19 Essential Worker Child Care Services effective immediately.
Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend (WFSCB) encourages customers who need full-time child care services to complete a Wait List Application for Child Care Services listing their name and contact information and be placed on the waitlist. As funds become available, customers on the waitlist will be contacted and informed of the enrollment process to determine their eligibility to receive child care services.
For more information, please see Child Care & Early Learning COVID-19 Information. To apply for Child Care Services, visit wfscb.org/child-care.
About COVID-19
If you are feeling ill or want to learn more about COVID-19, please visit the following site to learn what to do if you’re sick, testing information, symptoms, and prevention tips to help share facts, not fear. You can find the current Texas case count on the DSHS News Updates page.
This is a rapidly evolving situation and WFSCB is working to get important information regarding services being provided. Follow, Like, and Share on all social media platforms to stay updated! Stay safe, healthy and alert.
Visit the WFSCB Job Seekers for a list of essential jobs in your area. If you’re looking for work or workers, visit WorkInTexas.com.
Nueces County Veterans Service and the Coastal Bend Food Bank are giving food to veterans that have to stay at home due to age, an illness or disability.
For more information on how to receive these services, call 361-888-0820 Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM or email DeLaCerda@nuecesco.com
Resources By County
Community partners offer assistance during your time of need. Find your county in the list below for contact information.
Please see the following note regarding the WOA requirements and how we can assist you during this time.
- State benefit programs help people with little or no money who are in need. To apply for SNAP Food Benefits, TANF Cash Help, WIC Food Benefits, Health Care and other Support Services, visit YourTexasBenefits.com
- Texas Health and Human Services has launched a 24/7 statewide mental health support line to help Texans experiencing anxiety, stress or emotional challenged due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Call toll-free at (883) 986-1919.
