Child Care Services

Information for Providers:

Every day Panhandle WorkSource Child Care Services (CCS) helps thousands of families afford the cost of quality child care services. Learn how you can participate in our program and become a provider.

Becoming a Panhandle WorkSource CCS Provider: (back to top)As a provider in our program, you play an important role in assisting low-income families in becoming self-sufficient and offering them quality child care. A TDFPS licensed or registered provider of child care services in the Panhandle area may apply to have a provider agreement with Panhandle WorkSource CCS.

To become a provider you are responsible for meeting and maintaining the following requirements:

Licensing and Registration

To have an agreement to provide child care services, a provider must:

Have a current license or registration with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) as a licensed child care center, licensed child care home, or a registered child care home

Be licensed as a youth camp by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)

Be operated and monitored by the United States Military Services

Note: Panhandle WorkSource CCS will also consult with other agencies such as the Child and Adult Care Food Program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, to determine whether a provider has a satisfactory compliance history.

Abiding by Terms of the Provider Agreement

A prospective child care provider will sign a provider agreement with Panhandle WorkSource CCS and must agree to:

Abide by the terms of the provider agreement

Follow procedures outlined in the Panhandle WorkSource Child Care Services Provider Manual

Abide by any and all issuances from Panhandle WorkSource CCS.

Report any changes in the location, licensing status, or general operation of the facility to Panhandle WorkSource CCS

Maintain records on Panhandle WorkSource CCS children enrolled

Track attendance for Panhandle WorkSource CCS-referred families

Report absences of Panhandle WorkSource CCS children

Collect and document parent fees and report any non-payment of fees

Invoice Panhandle WorkSource CCS either once or twice a month for services provided

Supply requested documentation during monitoring visits.

Texas Rising Star provider program

Support from Provider Services Specialists

Provider data base

On-site training

Access to resources and training materials.

Note: Having a provider agreement does not guarantee that a provider will have children referred by Panhandle WorkSource CCS. Federal and state rules require that all referrals be based on parent choice.

Texas Rising Star Program: (back to top)The Texas Rising Star program was developed to provide families with high quality child care. To be a Texas Rising Star, child care providers must meet quality requirements that:

Exceed the state's minimum licensing standards

Are designed to enhance the intellectual, physical, and social development of the children in care.

The Texas Rising Star Program is a voluntary program for child care providers that establishes quality standards that exceed minimum expectations. Child care providers interested in becoming a Rising Star provider must:

Have a permanent license or registration with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS)

Maintain good standing with TDFPS (Child Care Licensing Plan 2 or 3)

Meet director qualifications

Meet caregiver/staff qualifications

Increase staff training

Have smaller group sizes

Have planned curriculum/activities

Have positive caregiver/child interaction

Ensure health and safety

Follow nutrition/mealtime guidelines

Have a parent involvement program.

Steps to Becoming a Rising Star:

Upon deciding to participate in the Texas Rising Star program, providers will need to take the following steps:

Request an application packet from Panhandle WorkSource CCS

Complete a self-assessment with your staff

Return the completed application packet

The Panhandle WorkSource CCS Provider Services Specialist conducts a preassessment visit

Subsequently, an onsite assessment is scheduled convenient to your schedule

An exit interview is conducted at the end of the assessment

Scoring is completed and delivered with the certificate

A quality improvement plan is developed

Monitoring is scheduled by certification level.

If you have any questions about our program that this reference guide does not sufficiently address, please contact a Provider Services Specialist at (806) 372-2836.

Additional Links for Providers: (back to top)

eVision allows child care providers to submit attendance information required for payment to Panhandle WorkSource CCS through an internet application. The application allows for a number of functions to include:

Reporting attendance

Adding children to attendance record

Make corrections

Record contact information about children in care.

Additional child care information is available through the organizations and agencies listed below.

Care Links

Additional child care information is available through the organizations and agencies listed below. Texas Workforce Commission information includes:

Child Care Services

Child Care Providers Lists

Child Care Rules

Child Care Licensing

Child Care Reports

Child Care State Plan

Child Care Licensing

Child Care Standards and Regulations

Child Care Licensing Offices

Information for Child Care Professional