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Employment committee brief: local supporters back childcare pilot bills to help training parents
Summary
The Employment Committee reported support for state bills establishing a certified childcare pilot in El Paso that would fund training-friendly child care; committee members described the pilot as $450,000 for up to 30 families and expiring in 2029.
The Employment Committee reported to the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on April 17 that state lawmakers introduced legislation to fund a childcare pilot in El Paso to support low-income parents enrolled in short-term workforce training programs.
The committee’s update said Sen. Blanco and State Rep. Bridal introduced SB 1249 and HB 2652, respectively, to create a certified caregiver/childcare pilot program that would fund licensed child care outside traditional hours for low-income and single parents enrolled in a short-term training program through Workforce Solutions/Borderplex.
Why it matters: Committee members said the pilot targets parents enrolled in training programs, supports certification of caregivers, and aims to remove childcare barriers to employment training. The committee noted it will monitor the bills as they move through the legislative process and encouraged city and county support.
Key details
- The update said the bills would provide $450,000 for the program, cover up to six months of childcare per eligible family and initially target about 30 families; the pilot was described as expiring in 2029 with reporting to the legislature by 2028.
- Workforce Borderplex Solutions’ Jono Hurd was listed as unable to attend the committee meeting; the employment subcommittee said more planning is needed for an upcoming trades fair (tentatively targeted for September). The subcommittee is not fixed to the September date and may move it to the following year to ensure proper planning.
Ending
The Employment Committee said it will monitor SB 1249 and HB 2652, encourage city and county support and provide future updates to the VAC as the bills advance.
