Workforce Solutions East Texas Announces Assistance to Child Care Services Program Participants, and Distribution of COVID-19 Health and Safety Educational Materials
Workforce Solutions East Texas • March 20, 2020
Workforce Solutions East Texas offers families taking part in our Child Care Services (CCS) program guidance, and educational information to combat the spread of COVID-19, as well as how to manage service needs due to changes they may be experiencing with their employment or child care center operations.
The CCS program subsidizes child care for low-income families, promoting long-term self-sufficiency by enabling parents to work or attend workforce training or education activities. It also educates parents about the availability of quality child care, which enhances children’s early learning. More than 4,000 children in East Texas are served by the WSET Child Care Services program and we are focused on the safety of every child and assisting program participants with any transitions necessary to continue services.
“We are working with our child care services providers daily to ensure a continuum of care for currently enrolled children, as events arise that may lead to a temporary change in a parent’s work, education, or training status,” said CCS Program Director, Ann Haines. “We invite our customers to check our web portal regularly for updates regarding their services. We are working to expedite all transfer requests, or temporary suspensions of service and if any parent is unable to record their child’s attendance at a facility, we will work with the child care provider to verify attendance, if needed. We are here to help you continue your child’s care.”
CCS participants may submit inquiries about their care through our web portal at https://childcare.easttexasworkforce.org/ or via email at easttexas.ccs.customers@gmail.com. If a child care center is closed or not accepting enrolled child(ren), parents may review our provider list to see if another CCS provider has capacity for a transfer.
WSET staff have distributed vital information to CCS child care centers and parents in the 14-county region of East Texas related to COVID-19. An educational brochure was produced and made available to all parents of children enrolled in the Child Care Services program entitled, “What Parents Need to Know About COVID-19.” It included COVID-19 safety basis; what parents should do at home to fight the virus; examples of alternative activities for the family as they are practicing social distancing; and suggested items for parents to include on their grocery lists. Along with the brochure, coloring books themed, “Hooray for Handwashing,” were provided and coloring sheets depicting safety for coughing, sneezing, and having a fever.
“Our families are the anchor point of our communities. Businesses depend upon a skilled and healthy workforce. That workforce depends on its families, both blood and the surrounding community,” said Doug Shryock, Director of Workforce and Economic Development. “WSET is here to serve our communities and our families, through support to our businesses, in the most effective ways possible.”
WSET continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and has created a web area for updates on service changes and availabilities to job seekers, employers, and program participants at www.easttexasworkforce.org/COVID-19. Workforce centers began closure to the public earlier this week on March 19th with anticipation to remain closed through May 1st.
For questions about CCS service updates, contact our team for assistance at easttexas.ccs.customers@gmail.com
or 1-800-676-8283. For more information on services for job seekers and employers impacted by COVID-19, contact our WSET Centers Director, Mary Ann Rojas at (903) 561-8131.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IS THE LAW
Workforce Solutions East Texas is an equal opportunity employer/program and auxiliary aids
and services are available upon request to include individuals with disabilities.
TTY/TDD via RELAY Texas service at 711 or (TDD) 1-800-735-2989/1-800-735-2988 (voice)
Wednesday, November 5 | 10 AM - 1 PM | Maude Cobb Convention Center
SNAP Benefits are not handled by Workforce Solutions East Texas offices. Our staff members cannot assist with your inquiries regarding the Federal Government Shutdown's effect on your benefits. To aid in these concerns, we are sharing information below from Texas Health and Human Services . 2025 Federal Government Shutdown With the federal government shut down, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is monitoring how it may impact your benefits. Check this page for updates . SNAP SNAP benefits for November won’t be issued if the federal government shutdown continues past Oct. 27. WIC WIC benefits are not affected currently. TANF TANF benefits are not affected currently. Medicaid Medicaid is not affected currently. CHIP CHIP is not affected currently. Find answers about SNAP and other benefits in the Federal Government Shutdown FAQ (PDF) .
We are pleased to introduce the newest officers of our Board of Directors: Chair Gene Keenon, Municipal Services Manager at Republic Services, and Vice Chair Pam Pearson, Administrator of the Wills Point Economic Development Corporation. Keenon represents the Private Business sector and was appointed to the board on December 23, 2014. Pearson represents Economic Development and was appointed on March 17, 2015. Both have dedicated many years to the board and served as chairs of subcommittees, bringing valuable experience and insights to guide the board in supporting our community. "It is a great honor to accept the appointment as Chairman of the Board for the East Texas Workforce Solutions and to serve as a representative of the private business community. I am deeply committed to advancing the mission and values of this exceptional organization," said Keenon. "Having the privilege of doing business throughout all 14 counties in our region, I understand both the challenges and opportunities that exist within our workforce. I pledge to represent our entire area with integrity, dedication, and a steadfast focus on the prosperity and well-being of our citizens. "The Board’s team of dedicated and diverse volunteers plays a vital role in overseeing millions of dollars in training and financial aid programs that empower individuals through childcare support, education, and job-readiness. I have witnessed firsthand the importance of these services—growing up watching my own mother work tirelessly to support her family as a single mom without a high school education —and I know how transformative such resources can be. "Our collective mission is to improve the quality of life for all East Texans. That mission is also my personal goal, and I am eager to work alongside these board members and dedicated staff to strengthen our communities and expand opportunities for all." The Workforce Solutions East Texas Board works with the region’s chief elected officials and sets local workforce policy. The volunteer board is made up mostly of private sector members, along with representatives from labor, education, and community organizations. We proudly serve Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties. “I am truly honored by the opportunity to serve as Vice Chair of the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board," said Pearson. It is a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated group of leaders who share a strong commitment to strengthening our workforce and supporting the employers, families, and communities across our region. I have great confidence in the talent, experience, and collaboration of this board as we continue advancing opportunities for East Texans.” We look forward to Keenon and Pearson’s leadership as we plan initiatives that support local businesses and economic growth. Join us in congratulating them at our next Workforce Solutions East Texas Board Meeting on November 12 at our Tyler center located at 4100 Troup Hwy, Tyler, TX 75703.
