The 2022 Child Care Relief Fund is Coming Soon!
Texas Workforce Commission • February 24, 2022
Attention Center & Home-Based Child Care Providers!
The Texas Workforce Commission wants to help your child care business thrive as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. More relief funds will be available in 2022 — over four times more than what was available in 2021 — to help child care programs get through the pandemic. TWC will invite child care programs to apply in early 2022. This funding will reimburse allowable, documented operational costs including personnel (payroll, wage stipends, retention bonuses, etc.) incurred between September 1, 2021, and May 31, 2023.
To be eligible for 2022 Child Care Relief Funds, your child care business must be:
- Open to provide child care services at the time of application OR be temporarily closed due to public health, financial hardship, or other COVID-19–related reasons at the time of application (with plans to reopen within 30 days);
- Actively licensed or registered in the State of Texas with Child Care Regulation (CCR) by February 28, 2022;
- In good standing with CCR; and 4 Committed to remaining open through at least May 2023.
Eligible providers will receive an invitation email from TWC with instructions to log into the application portal. There is no need to contact TWC or Child Care Regulation (CCR). Each eligible child care program will receive an application link through the secure email address on file with Child Care Regulation. If you believe you are eligible but have not received an email by April 1, 2022, please reach out to CCReliefFunds@trelliscompany.org.
TWC Resources
- Spread the word using our Flyer (in English and in Spanish) and Communications Toolkit (which includes text in Spanish).
- Share information using our FAQ, an easy-to-use How to Prepare to Apply Guide, and other resources on the Child Care Relief Funding 2022 website to help providers work through the easy steps needed to prepare to apply for funding.
- Connect providers to help and support available free of charge and in a variety of languages on childcare.texas.gov or by emailing CCReliefFunds@trelliscompany.org.
Tuesday, August 4 | Athens, Longview, Marshall, Palestine, and Tyler
Texas added 43,400 nonfarm jobs in June to reach a total of 14,469,600 positions. Over the year, the state added 177,900 jobs for an annual growth rate of 1.2 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.9 percentage points. Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,904,900 after adding 3,400 people over the month. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 29,700 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.4 percent. “Texas’ continued job growth is a testament to the strength of our employers and robust workforce development system,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “The addition of more than 177,000 jobs over the year reinforces Texas’ reputation among employers as the best place to start and grow a business.” The Professional and Business Services industry had the largest private sector over-the-month increase in June after adding 25,500 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality added 10,300 jobs over the month while Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 6,400. “The growth of the Texas labor market highlights the incredible talent and dedication of our state’s workforce,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “The Texas Workforce Commission is committed to ensuring every Texan has the support they need to thrive, whether through training opportunities to gain new skills or specialized programs that help our foster youth transition into successful careers.” The Midland metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.6 percent in June. It was followed by the San Angelo MSA at 3.9 percent and the Abilene MSA at 4.0 percent. “With an annual growth rate of 1.2 percent, Texas continues to outpace the national average and demonstrate economic resilience,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Brent Connett. “Both job seekers and employers can seek customized career services and recruitment assistance by visiting our TWC website or their local Workforce Solutions office.” Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. * All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com . The Texas Labor Market Information Data for July is scheduled to be released on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).
Workforce Solutions East Texas Child Care Services is proud to partner with the Panola County Chamber of Commerce to support child care leaders across the region. Through this partnership, the Chamber provides a welcoming meeting space for Directors Connect training designed to help early learning program owners and directors connect, learn, and grow together. The partnership was made possible through the support of Keri Perot-Vance, Executive Director of the Panola County Chamber of Commerce, whose commitment to community collaboration helped create a space where child care leaders can come together to share ideas, discuss challenges, and strengthen their leadership skills. The partnership began in 2025 in response to daycare owners expressing a need for accessible training opportunities. Recognizing this need, Panola County Chamber of Commerce graciously offered to host the Directors Connect training in its beautiful historic building. This collaboration provides child care professionals with the opportunity to earn professional development hours required to remain in compliance with Child Care Regulation and Texas Rising Star. Tonia Crawford and Aerial Jones, Business Industry Specialists for Child Care Services and facilitators of Directors Connect, say the program has evolved into so much more than a training opportunity. It has become a space for meaningful conversations, professional connections, and shared solutions. Through these gatherings, directors are strengthening their businesses, growing as leaders, and ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided to children and families throughout East Texas. Workforce Solutions East Texas Child Care Services is grateful for the Panola County Chamber of Commerce's ongoing support and looks forward to continuing this impactful partnership for years to come. Together, we are investing in stronger leaders, stronger child care programs, and stronger communities.
