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)
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.
