Travis County is set to enhance access to affordable child care for more families, as the Commissioners Court has approved a new series of contracts with Workforce Solutions.
The primary contract, worth $17.3 million, will create scholarships for 1,000 children, predominantly those aged three and under.
These scholarships are targeted at families earning at or below 85% of the state median income, which equates to approximately $87,000 annually for a family of four.
Cristela Perez-Riddel, the program director of child care services at Workforce Solutions, emphasized that these scholarships arrive at a vital time for the organization.
Currently, around 6,000 children remain on the waitlist for affordable child care, with families often waiting up to two years for assistance.
While the introduction of 1,000 new scholarships can only address a small portion of this demand, Perez-Riddel views it as an encouraging starting point.
“This is what we can feasibly do this first year,” she stated. “I would love to see that waitlist go down to zero.”
In addition to the scholarships, a second contract totaling $4.1 million has been approved for what county officials describe as “gap funding.”
This funding will help cover the shortfall between the actual cost of child care and the reimbursement rates provided by the state to local providers.
Tamitha Blackmon, owner of Nehemiah Christian School, expressed her gratitude, stating that child care providers have been absorbing costs for too long and that the new funding will be essential in maintaining quality care.
“Each day, hundreds of childcare providers open our doors and welcome children into a space that is safe, enriching, and fun,” Blackmon noted.
“The funding approved will help close the gap and make sure those of us in the childcare community can continue doing what we love for years to come.”
The funding initiative, named Raising Travis County, arises from a tax rate increase that county voters widely supported last November.
This increase was introduced following a 2024 report by Texas Workforce Solution, which revealed that the Austin region has the highest child care costs in Texas, averaging around $13,000 annually.
Raising Travis County is recognized as the first local, voter-approved affordable child care program in the state.
Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion highlighted the program’s potential to serve as a model for local communities facing similar challenges with state resources.
“As the son of a teacher, I’ve always believed that the way we treat, train, and prepare our youth will define who we are,” Travillion stated.
“In the midst of chaos at the state and federal government, Raising Travis County is what can happen when local communities come together to find local solutions to problems.”
To assess the program’s effectiveness, Travis County’s Health and Human Services Department will engage a third-party evaluator to monitor improvements in staff retention, wage increases, and capacity enhancements at child care centers.
The department plans to keep the Commissioners Court regularly updated with data on the number of children served and the participation of child care centers.
This announcement marks the second wave of funding the Commissioners Court has approved in an effort to expand accessible child care within the region.
Earlier in August, another funding package was approved to establish free or low-cost after school programs at 27 schools in the Austin area.
County officials have announced that further updates regarding the program will be provided in November.
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