Strengthening Child Care for Central Texas Families: WSRCA Supports the Texas Quad Agency Initiative
Texas is taking a big step to strengthen access to affordable, high quality child care, and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA) is proud to support it. The Texas Quad Agency Child Care Initiative held its first meeting in Austin, bringing together four key state agencies to improve coordination, reduce barriers, and expand opportunities for families and providers.
The Texas Legislature created the Quad Agency to unite the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). Their shared goal is simple: improve affordability, access, and quality for Texas child care.
As TWC Chairman Joe Esparza shared, this effort shows a strong commitment to supporting Texas families by helping child care providers get the support they need. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath echoed that by noting how collaboration helps remove barriers so more families can find high quality care. HHSC and DFPS leaders also praised the partnership for clearing up red tape and helping centers focus on safe, nurturing environments. Read more: https://www.twc.texas.gov/news/texas-quad-agency-child-care-initiative-holds-inaugural-meeting-enhance-access-and-quality
That mission aligns directly with the work WSRCA delivers every day across the nine county Rural Capital Area. Our team supports families, early learning programs, and communities through hands on services that make child care more accessible and sustainable.
How WSRCA Supports Child Care Providers
Across our region, providers face unique pressures, from staffing shortages to rising operating costs. WSRCA works closely with early learning programs to help them grow, stabilize, and improve quality. We do this by:
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Offering business coaching and technical assistance so providers can strengthen operations and remain financially resilient
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Supporting workforce pipelines that help centers recruit and retain early childhood educators
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Connecting providers with training, resources, and quality improvement tools
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Helping centers navigate regulations, funding opportunities, and system changes
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Partnering with Texas Rising Star to help providers advance through the rating system, earn more stars, and strengthen the quality of care they offer
Our team proudly supports providers as they work to meet and exceed Texas Rising Star standards. As programs move up the rating levels, they gain access to more resources, more families, and stronger long term stability.
When providers thrive, families have more choices, children benefit from stable learning environments, and local economies grow.
How We Support Families Every Day
WSRCA connects families to child care scholarships that make quality care more affordable and dependable. Parents can pursue education, training, and employment with peace of mind, knowing their children are in safe, nurturing environments.
We also provide:
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Help navigating child care options and understanding quality indicators
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Resources for parents returning to work or reskilling
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Support for rural families who often face limited access to licensed care
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Community partnerships that strengthen local early learning systems
Our goal is simple: remove the stress and complexity from finding reliable care so families can build stable futures.
Why the Quad Agency Initiative Matters to Our Region
Central Texas is growing fast. Families rely on child care not only for safety and stability but also to participate fully in the workforce. The Quad Agency initiative brings the right state partners to the table to streamline policies, reduce conflicting regulations, and make it easier for providers to operate and families to access care.
A stronger statewide system means a stronger local system. As this work moves forward, WSRCA will continue to advocate for the needs of rural and suburban communities and ensure the voices of families and providers in our region are represented.
Meetings are open to the public, and Texans can submit input on rules, regulations, and policies that affect child care affordability, quality, or access at QuadAgency.feedback@twc.texas.gov.
WSRCA is honored to support this statewide effort and will continue to serve as a trusted partner for families, providers, and employers. Together, we're building a child care system that helps every Central Texas child learn and grow, helps every parent work and thrive, and helps every community stay strong.
For more information on the Quad Agency Initiative, please visit https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/child-care/quad-agency-child-care-initiative.
TOPICS: Child Care Services
