Travis County Health and Human Services staff told the joint subcommittee that the county is moving from planning to short‑term investments to implement a voter‑approved childcare and out‑of‑school-time fund approved by voters in November 2024.

Corey Darling, Research and Planning Division director for Travis County HHS, said the county completed initial community engagement (three listening sessions focused on the Eastern Crescent, 10 stakeholder sessions and an online survey with more than 200 responses) and is finalizing data analysis to inform program policies. "In November 2024, Travis County voters approved a tax rate increase to fund childcare and out of school time services," Darling said.

The county has proposed a 21‑member Community Advisory Council to provide ongoing advice and recommendations on program design, policy, evaluation and community engagement; the county presented the recommendation to the Commissioners Court on June 10 and the court approved moving forward with the recommended structure. Proposed membership includes parents with lived experience, youth, center‑based and family‑home providers and system experts.

Short‑term investments: County staff outlined a five‑track plan approved by the Commissioners Court to get services into the field while competitive procurement for long‑term contracts proceeds. The five tracks are: (1) expand childcare and out‑of‑school scholarships through Workforce Solutions; (2) contract modifications to expand existing county early‑childhood and youth‑development contracts; (3) time‑limited interlocal agreements with the four school districts with high shares of economically disadvantaged students (Austin ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Del Valle ISD and Manor ISD); (4) explore interlocal agreements with the City of Austin to partner on capacity and quality initiatives; and (5) design a gap‑funding mechanism to align county funding with the true cost of care for provider sustainability.

Darling said some short‑term items will come to Commissioners Court this summer, and others will be phased into the fall, with the county returning to court in July to present detailed implementation proposals. He warned that federal funding rules previously caused auditing requirements that slowed contract deployment and said the county is working with Workforce Solutions and auditors to create an implementable baseline; commissioners pressed staff to move quickly to get money out this summer.

Why it matters: Voters approved the new tax for childcare to expand capacity and support providers. Short‑term contracting and interlocal agreements are designed to deliver immediate slots and scholarships while a competitive long‑term procurement is prepared.

What's next: The county will finalize the advisory council structure, return to Commissioners Court in July with more detailed solicitations and interlocal agreements, and begin expanding existing contracts and scholarship slots in partnership with Workforce Solutions and local school districts.

Ending: Darling asked for continued partnership with the city and school districts to accelerate funding to providers and families; commissioners emphasized the need for a clearinghouse and clear communications so voters see services delivered.