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West Central Texas Child Care Program Operations (CCPO) |
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In 1989 Child Care Associates was selected to field test the Child Care Management Services (CCMS) program -- one of several programs administered by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The goal of CCMS is to help families find affordable, quality child care so the parents can work or attend school/training.
Today, we oversee two subsidized child care contracts – West Central Texas Child Care Program Operations (CCPO) and Tarrant County CCMS. Combined, the programs provide services to over 15,000 children in 20 Texas counties.
Child Care Associates is contracted by the West Central Texas Workforce Development Board in Abilene to manage its Child Care Program Operations (CCPO). This program provides subsidized child care to families in a 19-county service delivery area that includes Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Fisher, Haskell, Jones, Kent, Knox, Mitchell, Nolan, Runnels, Scurry, Shackelford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor and Throckmorton Counties..
We share office space with the Workforce Center in Abilene, which is centrally located to the counties served. It is the goal of the Workforce Center to equip individuals with all of the tools needed to become productive and self-sufficient by offering services to accomplish this at a convenient one-stop location. Child care assistance is one of those services.
Our contact information and hours of operation are listed below --
Child Care Associates/CCPO
Texas Workforce Center
400 Oak St., Ste. 317
Abilene, Texas 79602
Telephone: (325) 795-4283 or 1-800-542-4045
Fax: (325) 795-4369
Website: www.workforcesystem.org (click on Job Seekers, Child Care, Big Country Child Care Providers)
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
In addition, we have collaborated with the Workforce Centers in Brownwood, Snyder and Sweetwater to have a CCPO representative onsite on a regular basis. This arrangement makes our staff more accessible and is a convenience for our customers, clients and providers in those areas.
The schedule is as follows:
1st Tuesday of each month – Sweetwater Workforce Center, 606 E. Broadway. CCPO staff will be onsite from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., except on holidays.
2nd Wednesday of each month – Snyder Workforce Center, 1912 37th St. CCPO staff will be onsite from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., except on holidays.
3rd Thursday of each month – Brownwood Workforce Center, 2202 Highway 377 South. CCPO staff will be onsite from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., except on holidays.
How do I select a CCPO child care provider?
All types of licensed facilities and child care providers have published standards they are required to follow and are routinely monitored and inspected. The application process requires that the facility/provider receives orientation, and background checks are conducted.
A license is issued after licensing staff completes on-site inspection(s) to insure minimum standards are met. Facilities are inspected every 5-12 months or sooner if a report is received relating to child abuse/neglect or standards violations. Licensed facilities include Licensed Child Care Homes, Licensed Child Care Centers, and Registered Child Care Homes. We also offer an option for Unregulated Self Arranged Care with an eligible relative of the child.
Licensed Child Care Homes provide care for 7-12 children under 14 years of age for less than 24 hours per day.
Licensed Child Care Centers are facilities that care for 13 or more children under 14 years of age for less than 24 hours per day. This category includes standards for day care centers, drop-in care centers, kindergarten and nursery schools, and elementary schools with kindergarten and above.
Registered Child Care Homes provide care in the caregiver’s home for up to six children under the age of 14. They may also take in up to six additional (12 total) school-age children. The number of children allowed in a home is determined by the ages of the children. No more than 12 children can be in care at any time, including the caregiver’s children. The application process requires that a Registered Child Care Home provider completes an orientation class and receives clearance on background checks. A registration certificate is issued after licensing staff completes an on-site inspection to insure minimum standards are met. Registered Child Care Homes are inspected every 1-3 years or sooner if a report is received relating to child abuse/neglect or standards violations.
Click here to view a listing of the Licensed Child Care Centers, Registered Child Care Homes and Licensed Child Care Homes that offer child care through Child Care Associates/CCPO. All providers listed are licensed by or registered with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. We hope this information will help you in choosing a child care provider suited to your needs and to your child’s happiness and well being.
Some child care providers offer special programs or voluntarily exceed the minimum standards. TEEM (Texas Early Education Model) providers offer a school readiness program. Texas Rising Star (TRS) providers voluntarily go above and beyond minimum standards for health and safety, group size, child/staff ratios, caregiver training and age-appropriate curricula and activities. TRS and NAEYC Accredited providers not only meet the TRS guidelines, but are also accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for promoting excellence in early childhood education. Click here to see a list of these exceptional child care providers.
We also offer an option for Unregulated Self-Arranged Child Care. If you choose not to use one of the Regulated Child Care options listed above, you may be able to arrange care with an eligible relative.
Below are examples of eligible relatives:
- Grandmother, grandfather, great-grandmother or great-grandfather of the eligible child
- Aunt or uncle (must be 18 years or older) of the eligible child
- Sibling (must be 18 years or older)
The relative must live in a separate residence from the eligible parents/child.
How do I qualify for CCPO child care financial assistance?
If you are on the CHOICES program, or you receive TANF benefits, contact the local Workforce Center in Abilene by calling 800-457-5633 or 325-795-4200 and speak to your CHOICES Case Manager about child care services.
If you are receiving services through Child Protective Services and need child care, please contact your caseworker with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
For all others seeking child care assistance, if you meet one of the following criteria you may be eligible to receive child care funding assistance for your children.
- Income eligible parents who meet the 25 hour per week participation requirement through working, attending school or participating in a training program,
- Teen parents from income eligible families who want to complete school.
- Income eligible parents who have children with disabilities.
Click here to see if you might be eligible for CCPO or for more information call us at 325-795-4283 or 1-800-542-4045
Please note that CCPO subsidized child care is provided on a funds available basis. If you are eligible to receive CCPO child care but no funds are available at this time, your name will be placed on the Wait List. When an opening becomes available, you will be contacted. Therefore, you will need to update your information every 45 days in order to remain on the Wait List. |
Do I Qualify for CCPO
CCPO Newsletter |
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