How working mothers can unlock child care access in Travis County.
By Cathy McHorse
As most working women know, finding child care that fits your kid’s needs, proximity to home or work, and your schedule can be challenging. It certainly doesn’t help that Travis County is the most expensive place in Texas to raise a child. As an early childhood expert, I can attest that accessible and affordable child care is essential for a good education, a healthy economy and a connected community. There are a few ways to find affordable child care, and I can help guide you to these resources.
Apply for a scholarship at your local Workforce Assistance Office.
Your local Workforce Assistance Office can help you apply for assistance. The Texas Workforce Commission’s Child Care Services program provides child care scholarships for children under 13 whose parents receive public assistance or public services or who are part of a low-income family.
Search the Texas Child Care Connection to find options.
By visiting childcare.twc.texas.gov, you can search for child care providers near you that suit your specialized needs. The search bar allows you to input any address and select if you want a provider that’s close to your home, work or along your commute. You can also input your transportation method and your children’s age for even more specialized search results. Options will also show which locations accept financial aid and their operating hours.
Seek after-school programs.
When kids have healthy and safe environments to thrive in, they are more likely to stay out of trouble, engage in their community and reach their full potential. After-school programs are great avenues for this and can provide a few extra hours of child care during the day. Austin Parks and Recreation has programs across the city from 2:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. that include fun activities, healthy snacks, and homework help.
Register for a summer camp
It’s never too early to consider a summer camp. During a period when most schools can’t provide all-day care, summer camps are an option that can allow children to socialize while exploring their interests. Austin Parks and Recreation offers various local summer programs at different price points (some free) and allows early registration for those who qualify for financial aid, adaptive and inclusion support programs.
Vote for better child care.
Better child care is on the ballot here in Austin. I would be remiss not to mention Travis County Proposition A, which would create a $76 million fund to expand child care in Travis County. By underwriting training programs for child care workers and helping turn at-home child care providers into fully fledged businesses, more options would be created in the Austin area to fit diverse child care needs and alleviate the strains our workforce faces.
The truth is, child care deserts, or swaths of the state where there are only one to two child care providers, span across Texas, making it difficult for working moms trying to provide for their families. Women are often the backbones of their families, and statistically make up over 92% percent of the child care workforce. When working mothers are underpaid and overworked, the entire community suffers.
Expanded access to childcare is good for working mothers who want more time to work or pursue higher education and benefits child care workers who deserve higher pay and expanded capacity. This election, a vote for Travis County Proposition A means investing in the women who hold our community together and create strong futures for our children.
Cathy McHorse is an Early Childhood Consultant with over a decade of experience in early childhood education and community advocacy. She specializes in fostering collaborations to improve outcomes for young learners. Connect with Cathy McHorse on LinkedIn.