Dear Parent/Guardian:

 

On January 13,2025 the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will launch a new case management system for the Child Care Services (CCS) program—Texas Child Care Connection (TX3C). Below is more information about upcoming changes to policies and procedures resulting from the TX3C launch.

Transition Period

There will be delays as we transition to the new system:

 

• The Workforce Solutions South Plains Child Care Services (CCS) online application and forms for services will no longer be available as of January 2, 2025. You may call CCS for emergency situations @ 806-744-3572.
• If your eligibility was due to be recertified between 11/27/24 – 2/26/25, CCS has already extended your recertification date and sent you notification of the new date.
• Our current statewide system will be taken down and unavailable from 1/7/25-1/12/25, so no changes can be made to your case during the down time. You may call CCS for emergency situations @ 806-744-3572.
• CCS will begin usingTX3C on January 13, 2025. Some services will be slower than usual as CCS staff learns the new system.

 

Absence Tracking

Effective January 13, 2025, absences will be tracked and counted for children in care. You will be responsible for complying with TWC’s attendance standards or risk termination of eligibility for excessive absences. Meeting attendance standards for child care consists of no more than 40 total absences in your 12-month eligibility period. You are required to report your child’s attendance using the attendance reporting system located at your provider’s location or through mobile app (if available for your provider). 

 

Absences due to a child’s documented chronic illness, disability, or court-ordered visitation are not counted in the number of absences, but you must submit documentation to Workforce Solutions South Plains Child Care Services for these types of absences.

 

Parent Share of Cost

TWC has approved a new calculation methodology for Parent Share of Cost (PSoC). The new methodology will be available at the time TX3C is launched. 

 

Your current PSoC will remain the same unless your income decreases or your family size changes.

Workforce Solutions South Plains CCS will use the new methodology beginning with your next eligibility period.

Change to a Weekly Rate

TX3C pays providers for the child care you receive on a biweekly basis, instead of a monthly basis. Your family copay must match the pay period for providers. Effective January 1, 2025, your copay will be calculated weekly. 

 

Workforce Solutions South Plains CCS will share the specific amount of your new weekly fee. Your weekly fee will be calculated from your current monthly fee, ensuring your total cost does not increase.

 

What’s changing?

• The new sliding fee scale for PSoC will be statewide.
• If you relocate to another area of the state and transfer your care, your PSoC will remain the same until you recertify your eligibility.
• The new scale will have more gradual increases for families with rising incomes between certification periods.

 

New Statewide Online Application for Families

TX3C will include an online statewide application for parents applying or recertifying for a new eligibility period of participation in the CCS program. 

 

The new system will feature the following:

• A new statewide application for families
• An easy-to-use interface that works with mobile devices
• A common user experience for all Texans

 

Workforce Solutions South Plains CCS will continue to manage your CCS case, determine eligibility, and manage the local waiting list. We will provide more information regarding TX3C and how you will access the new system within the next month.

 

Please be patient with Workforce Solutions South Plains CCS staff as we work with the new statewide system that will ultimately be more efficient and user-friendly for our child care families. For more information or if you have questions, please contact Workforce Solutions South Plains Child Care Services at 806-744-3572.

 

Respectfully,

Rosa M. Hernandez Chief Operating Officer South Plains Regional Workforce Development Board Workforce Solutions South Plains Board Administration 1500 Broadway, Suite 800 Lubbock TX 79401 PH: 806.744.1987, Fax: 806.744.5378 email: rosa.hernandez@spworkforce.org http://workforcesouthplains.org/

 

Workforce Solutions South Plains is an equal opportunity employer/programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Relay Texas: 711 (voice); 800-735-2989 (TDD); or Relay Texas Spanish 800-662-4954