AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has awarded a total of $175,000 to Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA) and Workforce Solutions Capital Area (WSCA) through Child Care Employment Connections Awards. This performance-based award recognizes local workforce development boards (Boards) for their work in connecting at-risk parents with sufficient employment.

“WSRCA is proud to be recognized for connecting child care parents with employment opportunities,” said Paul Fletcher, WSRCA Chief Executive Officer. “Connecting parents to sufficient employment is more than just a job; it’s a pathway to stability and prosperity for families. When we ensure that parents have access to meaningful employment opportunities, we’re not just shaping individual lives; we’re building the foundation for thriving communities and a resilient, economically empowered society.”

The Child Care Employment Connections Awards recognize Boards that were the most successful in helping make employment connections for unemployed parents whose children are receiving child care assistance. 

“We're honored to be recognized for this critical support to help Austin-Travis County parents,” said Tamara Atkinson, Chief Executive Officer at WSCA. “We help parents gain and keep employment, and also increase earning potential. Parents who receive child care assistance through us see an annual wage increase of over $6,300.”

These awards will provide additional funding to expand or improve the quality of child care services in the region. Only one additional Board in the state also received the award, Workforce Solutions for South Texas.

TWC’s Child Care Services program provides eligible parents with up to three months of child care assistance while they look for a job. Parents who find sufficient employment are eligible to receive child care benefits for a full year.

In Texas, there are 28 Boards that operate more than 170 local Workforce Solutions offices. In addition to administering child care services, local offices aim to place people in jobs and equip workers with skills that foster economic development. Local offices also help employers recruit, hire, and retain qualified workers.

For more information about TWC’s Child Care Services programs, visit Child Care & Early Learning Program - Texas Workforce Commission.

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