[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6709697,"mediaKeyId","5067056-65f03cf527bf9674b6363661667f631e","parentId",5067056,"title","TWC discussion: combine STEM youth lines, collect outcomes data and speed program launches","audioSeconds",305,"startMs",311000,"endMs",616000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067056-65f03cf527bf9674b6363661667f631e&start=311&end=616","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067056-65f03cf527bf9674b6363661667f631e/thumbnail_311000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6709697/Texas/TWC-discussion-combine-STEM-youth-lines-collect-outcomes-data-and-speed-program-launches","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709697-d7fb388316bf9d7dc47c99966a1b44a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770507249&Signature=erWhnHvg6ZWYjlPrFejTO2SE8LmlZooXLHr-cqWDidgX1yN-8OadyEnHBf4iVaEq4jvKn~Y~kkaHawGk~jT2Lfb5khwf5lG9n99m1CkS-mrDlARtFtTPaw1WChnt-5uD17FluugltIg3YcWiYBoyw4vv7bMAnUpAqbK5QELO8C9XY~H-qnebZmcvvccLZeAlMY6QXCT6D9l7eyGFw3oOU3npT5JZb16D4zAcBLAi2j64SXerQdJaRUkfCpkDogMSvxiFZIC8wQAm15CpIhOTng4cyDr~KbTVwkcT~w~oUcOYbjNXZ8~R6bWaT9yuk8hTSCLVcpQe7MZaI0bfjmMeMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Workforce Commission (TWC)","date","2025-06-24T13:19:13Z","article","Commissioners discussed a proposal to consolidate several youth STEM-related programs into a single budget line and urged staff to accelerate program launches while improving outcomes measurement.

A commissioner (Speaker 6) proposed combining four youth programs—governor's summer merit (summer merit), youth robotics, esports and Camp Code—into a single STEM category. The stated purpose was administrative flexibility: staff could reallocate funds between those activities as demand shifted without a formal reprogramming process. \"Rather than lock you into esports, camp code, summer merit, let's see how robotics ... we take all that money ... bring that up into this larger STEM category, and let you rebrand that in some appropriate way,\" Commissioner (Speaker 6) said.

Commissioners said the change could allow a single solicitation for STEM activities rather than four separate solicitations and might speed responses to varying annual demand for different programs. Staff confirmed that the commission’s recent budget presentations have consolidated program headings (youth, veterans) and that flexibility to reprogram funds exists, but commissioners asked staff to return with implementation details and recommended safeguards so boards and vendors understand allowable activities.

Outcomes data and speed of execution

During the same discussion the commission urged more systematic collection of outcomes data across programs. Commissioner (Speaker 6) said TWC has made \"tremendous progress\" collecting outcomes but pressed staff to move toward using outcome measures to inform future funding decisions when reliable data exists.

Commissioners also criticized the length of time between commission approval and program launch. \"Business, job creation, economic development in the state, they move at the speed of business — we're not yet,\" Commissioner (Speaker 6) said. Members asked staff, general counsel and contracting teams to identify process changes that would allow faster procurement and program rollout and to return with recommendations.

What happens next

Commissioners asked staff to draft options for a consolidated STEM budget line, including suggested program controls and solicitation language, and to return with a plan to improve outcomes data collection and steps to shorten procurement timelines. No formal vote on consolidating STEM lines occurred during the session; commissioners left authority to staff to return with proposals and recommended that any consolidation preserve accountability and auditability.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","TWC Commission Meeting Work Session | 6-23-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners discussed consolidating several youth STEM lines into a single category to give staff flexibility, urged systematic outcomes collection across programs, and pressed staff to shorten procurement timelines so initiatives reach employers faster.","taxTitle","Workforce Commission (TWC), Departments and Agencies, Executive, Texas","taxId",17380,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6709701,"TWC approves FY26 statewide initiatives, including pilots for emerging industries, rural workforce, childcare and internships",2798,1763000,4561000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067056-65f03cf527bf9674b6363661667f631e&start=1763&end=4561","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067056-65f03cf527bf9674b6363661667f631e/thumbnail_1763000.jpg","/articles/6709701/Texas/TWC-approves-FY26-statewide-initiatives-including-pilots-for-emerging-industries-rural-workforce-childcare-and-internships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709701-519d19ed9798b02513c16b8776579c32/orig.mp4?Expires=1770507249&Signature=kxkldESYUf3h9Vw-f9UtWpX2-OSi8dKe5VYzHMSiRgkeiplsBubY7JD3iYISBJu4iXEjijIGSvP1ciSUh~yTNvs3Ndr~C5aFrHiVMGED4bvrqKEaqQaXgc2LZoPD6U044idQIr03PlOUdjzpfLlAIcF5vIGibxKa1kfpnIFy~kmEyvtz2NPjAn3iTw2ZDVyQCBPuAG71O3-ah3VslKHxLXhMVAqJQDsv-vAipn6JiIJa0Rp0D-6-OontsFyuzRRdXHT8BvfKqEJk1Ud~KFfV5D95TT2JSfuMpf8rmzTxjYcr2BWj3JSr49U4gY4zltLNLChPqFKCFWSGUtM2ZSCdUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Texas Workforce Commission voted to approve its proposed FY26 statewide initiatives and a series of commissioner-sponsored pilot programs during a work session discussion and roll-call by affirmation on June 30, 2025. Chairman (Speaker 6) led the meeting as commissioners approved the staff package and then voted, with no recorded objections, on a set of individual pilot proposals and budget allocations.

The commission approved staff’s FY26 operations and statewide initiatives package as presented, then approved a set of separate pilot proposals that commissioners had discussed during the session: an emerging-industry workforce pilot, a rural workforce pilot, a parent-educator childcare pilot, a Texas senior military leader internship program, a career-shifters program, and a rotating-industry internship program. Several related administrative changes were also accepted, including consolidating some youth/STEM program funding into a single, flexible category and removing a prior application limit on high-demand job training and Texas industry partnership grant applications so boards can submit multiple applications.

Why it matters: The package directs short-term funding toward experiments and pilots that the commission says are designed to test new delivery approaches, expand capacity in rural and childcare settings, and accelerate workforce transitions into emerging industries. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized the goal of enabling faster moves from commission approval to program launch and asked staff — and in some cases general counsel — to return with rulemaking or legal clarifications before full implementation on items that may require waivers or regulatory changes.

Most important votes and amounts

- Emerging industries workforce development pilot — $1,500,000 (approved, no objection). The pilot was presented as a way to explore workforce pipelines for advanced nuclear energy and other emerging industries; commissioners discussed the need to coordinate with other agencies and noted statute references but did not block funding for an initial pilot.

- Rural workforce development pilot — $1,000,000 (approved, no objection). The pilot is intended to contract with a public or private research institution to provide technical assistance to rural colleges and school districts on grant-writing, facility planning and partnership development.

- Parent-educator childcare pilot — $4,700,000 (approved, no objection). Commissioners approved funding to pilot a model in which parents/guardians provide limited volunteer time at childcare centers in exchange for subsidized childcare slots; members asked staff and general counsel to examine waiver authority and federal CCDF constraints before full implementation.

- Texas senior military leader internship program — $500,000 (approved, no objection). Funding is intended to stand up an administrative program, leveraging military and other stakeholder resources to place senior military leaders in civilian internships.

- Career-shifters program — $1,000,000 (approved, no objection). The initiative funds training and internships for workers moving from one career to another.

- Rotating-industry internship program — $500,000 (approved, no objection). Designed to expand internship opportunities for college and pre-college students to explore multiple industries.

Other budget/administrative actions

- Foster youth conference funding: Staff clarified that funds for the statewide foster youth conference will be moved from the foster youth transition centers allocation (a larger line item in the proposed budget) rather than from a separate new line item; commissioners acknowledged an earlier $62,500 line that had been rolled into the transition centers allocation and confirmed $65,000 had been proposed previously for a regional foster youth expo that did not run due to lack of interest.

- High-demand job training/industry partnership application limits: Commissioners voted to remove the prior prohibition limiting boards to a single application for high-demand job training and Texas industry partnership grants, while leaving dollar limits and other program management parameters to staff; commissioners instructed staff to manage program integrity and to return if funding levels need to be increased.

Discussion and conditions placed on approval

Commissioners repeatedly approved the dollar amounts on the record but asked staff to return with additional details and, where necessary, expedited rulemaking or legal opinions. In particular, discussion around the parent-educator childcare pilot raised questions about whether commission-level blanket waivers are permitted under existing childcare rules and which uses of CCDF funds would require a special-project designation or federal approval. Chairman (Speaker 6) and other commissioners said they were comfortable approving the earmarks while directing staff and general counsel to resolve legal and implementation questions before program rollouts.

Select direct quotes

\"Motion carries,\" Chairman (Speaker 6) said after a motion and second to adopt staff’s FY26 package and then to proceed with the separate pilot approvals.

\"We are just now about to close the application round on June 30,\" Staff member (Speaker 1) said when reporting on the Upskill Texas application round and available funding.

What happens next

Staff were directed to return with rulemaking proposals or legal clarifications where required and to report back on program rollouts. Several commissioners emphasized the need to speed procurement and program launches so initiatives reach providers and employers \"at the speed of business.\"","The Texas Workforce Commission approved its fiscal year 2026 statewide initiatives and a set of pilot programs, dedicating roughly $9.95 million to a package of workforce development pilots and reallocations; several items passed with no objection while staff were asked to return with rulemaking or legal clarifications for specific proposals.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6709692,"TWC staff says foster youth conference will be funded from transition centers allocation; earlier regional expo funds rolled back",108,32000,140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067056-65f03cf527bf9674b6363661667f631e&start=32&end=140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067056-65f03cf527bf9674b6363661667f631e/thumbnail_32000.jpg","/articles/6709692/Texas/TWC-staff-says-foster-youth-conference-will-be-funded-from-transition-centers-allocation-earlier-regional-expo-funds-rolled-back","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709692-e7a9613c5e3feff31cb384b43f99114b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770507249&Signature=iSnn0BoiacOWna6uJ1lpwsffl4vIZ7436yu6fX8EaKveE66tb7VPiMO9sKqO0m82iBxf7wkeDEPVknmZOMlOddxkTYb5yZ~1atuTw0tT7tdfqZGOEApR4KdBSmqHk6T6llVvPmCWW~ti25fKUhtQlW-o23V1BbaU6wBK8adxuwVaYNw-OruDRR-NpBRbPdQ0wDD3XFJgETO0Zb6KDPo4ka8DUcY0B7vO35rJMePON5FOOKr~VAjkjJbN8a6zoKaXwPdJJtI3CvtLNTIzJtkmtsYy~RGv5U0UNby526Z~TXmsIK5fAsPL3Cb9gu15gJux921hC7iSfrKHr2ofz3~7Lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staff clarified the budget treatment of foster youth conferences after a commissioner asked whether the FY26 operating budget included a separate line for a statewide foster youth conference. Staff explained the conference has been funded in past years by carving out a portion of the Foster Youth Transition Centers allocation rather than through a separate operating line.

A staff member (Speaker 2) said the commission attempted to procure a regional foster youth expo for the Gulf Coast/Fort Worth area in a prior cycle but providers did not demonstrate sufficient interest and the event did not run; the corresponding $62,500 regional line was rolled back into the transition centers allocation. A commissioner (Speaker 5) asked whether $65,000 could be set aside for the statewide conference; staff replied that the conference costs are currently covered out of the transition centers allocation and that, historically, a portion of that larger line has been used to support the statewide foster youth conference.

Staff also reported ongoing procurement efforts for foster youth services and said they are exploring higher-education partnerships where grant solicitations were previously unsuccessful.

What happens next

No separate appropriation was made at the time; staff confirmed the conference scheduled for July will proceed using transition-centers funds. Commissioners asked staff to ensure that line-item treatment and procurement plans be clear in the final FY26 materials.","Staff told commissioners that the statewide foster youth conference will be funded from the Foster Youth Transition Centers allocation in the proposed FY26 budget and that a previously planned regional foster youth expo was canceled and its line-item funds were rolled into the transition centers allocation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

TWC discussion: combine STEM youth lines, collect outcomes data and speed program launches

TWC approves FY26 statewide initiatives, including pilots for emerging industries, rural workforce, childcare and internships

TWC staff says foster youth conference will be funded from transition centers allocation; earlier regional expo funds rolled back