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TWC approves braided funding to let TEFA pre-K pay instruction while CCS pays wrap-around care
Summary
The commission approved guidance allowing families with Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) to use vouchers for pre-K instruction at high-quality Texas Rising Star providers while Child Care Services pays before/after wrap-around care; staff recommended blended rates during school year and full-time rates in summer.
The Texas Workforce Commission approved guidance on June 28 to allow Child Care Services (CCS) to braid funding with Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) so families may use TEFA vouchers to pay for pre-K instruction while CCS covers wrap-around child care.
Allison Wilson of TWC’s Child Care and Early Learning Division told commissioners that TEFA, administered by the comptroller, can pay for pre-K instruction when delivered at three- or four-star Texas Rising Star child-care providers. Under the staff recommendation, CCS would pay a blended rate during the school year and a full-time rate during summer months for children co-enrolled in CCS and TEFA-funded pre-K.
Wilson said the guidance reflects coordination with the comptroller’s office and mirrors prior TWC policies for co-enrollment in public pre-K partnerships. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about interagency coordination and expressed support for the approach.
The commission moved, seconded, and approved the braided funding model as recommended by staff.
Quote: “A parent may use their school voucher, which will pay for pre-K education at the full-day rate, while CCS will pay for the wrap-around child care services that occur before or after the pre-K instructional time,” Allison Wilson said.
Ending: The approved guidance directs staff to implement the blended-rate approach for school-year wrap-around care and the full-time summer rate; commissioners can expect implementation instructions to follow from the Child Care and Early Learning Division.
