To help increase access to quality child care, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is preparing to distribute a portion of $3.45 billion in federal relief funds directly to child care providers through the 2022 Child Care Relief Fund (CCRF).

Child care businesses are critical employers and the services they provide are crucial to supporting the regional and statewide economy. Availability of child care providers is key for economic growth as families need access to quality child care in order to be able to work. All eligible area providers should have received an email directly from TWC with instructions to apply for funding.

Applications will be accepted until May 31, 2022. Relief funds can be used to cover many expenses, including temporary wage increases or other strategies to recruit and retain staff, rent, supplies, and utilities.  

In 2021, TWC awarded over $581 million to almost 9,500 child care providers in Texas through the CCRF with an average award amount of $60,000. In the 19-county West Central Texas region 157 providers were eligible to apply. Of those, 113 applications were approved and nearly $4.4 million was awarded locally during the first round of funding. CCRF award amounts are based upon provider size, type, and the average cost of child care in the area. With the new 2022 CCRF opportunity and increase in funding available, this year’s eligible providers have access to $3.4 billion with a statewide estimated average award of over $250,000.

More information on CCRF is available at https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/child-care-relief-funding.