Access to reliable child care is an important part of helping families work, train, and build financial stability. In Texas, the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) system uses multiple layers of oversight to help ensure child care assistance reaches eligible families while protecting program resources.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Local Workforce Development Boards, and local contracting agencies each have defined responsibilities for administering and monitoring child care services. This shared approach includes eligibility reviews, quality assurance, provider monitoring, data analysis, and fraud prevention. Just as important is a collaborative approach across the system, with state and local partners sharing best practices, providing technical assistance, and working with providers to strengthen compliance.
The results show how these efforts can support both families and the workforce. Texas had an approved child care subsidy error rate of 0.4% in FY2023, compared with a 4.93% national average published in FY2025. At the same time, most eligibility reviews are completed within 24 to 48 hours, helping families access care without unnecessary delays. Child care also plays a direct role in supporting employment. According to the snapshot, parents receiving Child Care Services had wages totaling more than $2.7 billion in FY2025. Among low-income working families receiving subsidized child care, 87% maintained employment after one year.
Quality is another part of the system. Since Texas required child care providers participating in the subsidy program to take part in Texas Rising Star, the share of subsidized children enrolled in certified programs increased from 44% to 87% as of December 2025. For families, these efforts help connect child care assistance with a larger goal: supporting parents as they work toward employment and greater self-sufficiency while helping ensure public resources are used responsibly.
Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast helps connect eligible families in the Gulf Coast region with child care assistance and workforce services designed to support parents as they work, attend school, complete training, or search for employment.
You can learn more about How Texas Achieves Strong Program Integrity in CCDF.
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