Childcare Subsidies for Essential Personnel
April 7, 2020
New Child Care Subsidies Available for Essential Personnel
El Paso, TX – Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has allotted an additional $40 million to provide childcare fee assistance in the form of subsidies to essential personnel in Texas working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Child Care Services, or CCS, will be responsible for distributing funds. The funds can be used at any CCS-approved childcare provider.
“Even with the stay at home ordinance, many El Pasoans provide essential services and jobs and must continue to work, including healthcare workers,” said Sylvia Acosta, Ph.D., CEO of YWCA El Paso del Norte Region which manages CCS funds for the El Paso Region.
“Finding and affording child care is a challenge many families face but now with schools and some child care providers closed, it is even more difficult,” said Leila Melendez, CEO of Workforce Solutions Borderplex. “The list of essential workers is long and it includes single parents, parents without nearby extended family, small business owners, and others who have no choice but to utilize child care facilities. This is how we can help them.”
According to TWC, essential workers include those in pharmacy and healthcare industries, first responders, critical local and state government staff, mail/delivery services, nursing homes, child care, home healthcare, and other direct care providers, those employed by grocery stores, gas stations, banks, restaurants (with drive-thru and delivery), military personnel, and any other worker deemed essential by TWC or local workforce development boards.
To apply, parents can go to the link below and submit an application. They will then be contacted by Workforce Solutions Borderplex staff and asked to provide additional information, including age of child, proof of residence, and proof of citizenship. Funds are available for children ages 0-12.
The application can be found in English here: https://borderplexjobs.formstack.com/forms/covid_19_essential_worker_child_care_enrollment_form
And in Spanish here: https://borderplexjobs.formstack.com/forms/covid_19_essential_worker_child_care_enrollment_form_spanish