We’re raising child care and out-of-school time quality by investing in our teachers and providers.
We’re raising wages for people who care for our children.
We’re raising the bar for what Travis County families can expect and achieve.
Because when children thrive, Travis County rises.
Raising Travis County is a voter-approved initiative to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care and out-of-school time programs, including after-school and summer enrichment for eligible families. Strategic investments are already underway to strengthen local infrastructure, support providers, and prepare families for expanded access, with full rollout beginning in 2026—this is the fastest implementation of any initiative of its kind in the country—and the first of its kind in Texas.
This funding helps families in Travis County who earn up to 85% of the state median income (SMI). For example, a family of four may qualify if their yearly income is $87,731 or less. See the income chart* for details based on household size.
More resources and information for parents and providers are on the way as this long-term fund continues to roll out!
Who We Serve
We work with local nonprofits, child care and out-of-school time providers, government agencies, and community organizations across Travis County to build a stronger support system for children and families.
What We Do
Raising Travis County helps eligible families access affordable child care and out-of-school time programs through funding awarded to local providers. This funding supplements existing state funding and is part of a coordinated effort to expand access across Travis County.
To expand access to care and lower costs, we invest in a network of providers who offer scholarship-supported spots to qualifying families. By expanding scholarships and investing in the workforce, local dollars help providers grow their capacity, improve program quality, and serve more children in our community.
Why It Matters
When child care and out-of-school time programs are too expensive or hard to find, parents and caregivers may have to leave their jobs or pause their education and job training. That disrupts family stability and creates ripple effects across our local economy. Raising Travis County helps ensure families have the support they need to thrive—at home, at work, and in school.
Background and Context
Travis County voters approved Proposition A to create a $75 million annual fund—the first of its kind in Texas—to expand access to child care and out-of-school time programs, address provider challenges, and strengthen families and the local economy.
On November 5, 2024, Travis County voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition A, creating a dedicated fund to support children and families. With this historic vote, Travis County became the first county in Texas to establish a voter-approved children’s fund.
This fund will generate approximately $75 million per year to support programs that:
- Expand access to affordable, high-quality child care and out-of-school time programs
- Grow and strengthen the local provider network to improve quality and capacity
- Support working families by helping parents pursue employment, job training, or education
- Encourage employer partnerships to offer child care and out-of-school time stipends and benefits
Child care in Travis County is more expensive than anywhere else in Texas. Families often face long waitlists—sometimes months or even years—to get help paying for care. And even when scholarships are available, they rarely cover the full cost, leaving providers to absorb the difference on already tight budgets. That puts stress on the entire system and limits how many families can be served.
By supporting both families and providers, Raising Travis County helps parents stay in the workforce or continue their education, while children gain access to safe, enriching child care and out-of-school time programs. The benefits ripple across our community—strengthening family stability, boosting our local economy, and helping Travis County thrive.
These four strategies lay the foundation for how Raising Travis County plans to grow and improve child care and out-of-school time programs for families across our community:
Strategy 1: Expand slots for infants & toddlers (ages 0-3) and for after-school and summer programming (PreK-12th grade)
Raising Travis County aims to create more child care openings for infants and toddlers (ages 0–3) and expand out-of-school time programs for children in Pre-K through 12th grade. This will help meet the growing need for care and give working families more reliable options throughout the year.
Strategy 2: Expand non-traditional hours care
Many parents work evenings, weekends, or overnight shifts. This strategy supports the development of child care and out-of-school time programs that operate outside the typical 9-to-5 schedule, making it easier for families with non-traditional work hours to find care that fits their lives. It also aims to provide support during school breaks—including spring and winter holidays, summer vacation, and other days when school is not in session—ensuring families have continuous care throughout the year.
Strategy 3: Build quality and capacity
Raising Travis County is committed to helping children receive safe, enriching care. We’re investing in training for child care and out-of-school time staff, supporting programs that offer classroom resources and curricula, and providing funding to help providers maintain lower teacher-to-child ratios. These efforts will allow providers to serve more families while continuing to deliver high-quality care.
Strategy 4: Build a Business/Government Alliance to leverage business contributions and matching public funds to reduce employee child care costs
Raising Travis County will work with local employers to create shared funding models that reduce the cost of child care and out-of-school time programs for employees. By combining business contributions with public funding, this strategy helps make care more affordable and accessible for working families.
Community Advisory Council
In October 2025, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved the inaugural Community Advisory Council for Raising Travis County, composed of 28 representatives with diverse skill sets that offer expertise and/or interest in child care and out-of-school time. These individuals include parents, child care and out-of-school time providers, community leaders, and other stakeholders who bring valuable lived experience and deep knowledge of these issue areas. The council will work closely with county staff to advise on design and program implementation and support continuous community engagement.
| Category | Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Parents/Caregivers and Youth | Claudia Kramer Santamaria | Parent |
| Sandy Dochen | Parent | |
| Cyndy Karras | Parent | |
| Jacqueline Craig | Parent | |
| Na’Siah Martin | Youth | |
| Rahila Masood | Youth | |
| Providers | Zenae Campbell | Boys and Girls Club of the Austin Area (Out-of-School Time Provider) |
| Debbi Saunders | Peace and Clarity dba Girls Friendship Tribe (Out-of-School Time Provider) | |
| Cynthia Smith McCollum | Open Door Preschools (Center-Based Provider) | |
| Jemie Vaughn | Jemie Johnson Vaughn LCCH (Family Home-Based Provider) | |
| Key Stakeholders | Madison Mattise | Senior Director, Child Care Quality Initiatives, Workforce Solutions Capital Area |
| Ann Eaton | Assistant Director, City of Austin Economic Development Department (City of Austin) | |
| Angela Lampkin | Executive Director, Child Inc. Head Start | |
| Barbara Grant Boneta | Director, Austin/Travis County Success by 6 Coalition, United Way for Greater Austin (Child Care Convener) | |
| Mary Riggs | Chief Program Officer, Andrew S. Roddick Foundation Inc., Learn All the Time Network (Out-of-School Time Convener) | |
| Laura Olson | Organizing Director, GoAustin & VamosAustin (Grass Roots Community Organization) | |
| Jocelyn Montgomery | Coordinator of Grants and Special Programs for Childcare, Austin Community College (Institution of Higher Learning) | |
| Candice Williams | Supervisor, ACE (Afterschool Centers on Education) Austin, Austin Independent School District (Cycle 12) | |
| Travis Krogman | VP, State & Federal Relations, Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce | |
| Brooke Freeland | Steering Committee Member, Asset Funders Network, Central Texas Chapter (Philanthropy) | |
| Candace Akers | Senior Manager, Shared Services, United Way for Greater Austin | |
| Bill Wallace | Founder and Executive Director, Tomorrow's Promise Foundation | |
| At-Large Community Representatives | Victoria Mancha-Dodla | |
| Toña Vasquez | ||
| Jonathan Tan | ||
| Brian Stacy | ||
| Alison Alter | ||
| Millie Hernandez |
Acknowledgments
We’re grateful to the partners who support Raising Travis County in meaningful ways:
- GSD&M generously provided pro bono support to develop our name and branding.
- Asset Funders Network and United Way for Greater Austin support the work of our Community Advisory Council.
Income Elegibility Guidliines
Families may qualify for assistance based on household size and annual income. The table below outlines the maximum income levels—up to 85% of the State Median Income (SMI)—used to determine eligibility for this program. See table below.
*Income limits are based on the 2025 guidelines from the Texas Workforce Commission, which reflect 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) for Texas families. These limits help determine who qualifies for Raising Travis County funding.
| Family Size | Annual Income Limit (85% SMI) | Monthly Income Limit (85% SMI) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $45,620 | $3,802 |
| 2 | $59,657 | $4,971 |
| 3 | $73,694 | $6,141 |
| 4 | $87,731 | $7,311 |
| 5 | $101,768 | $8,481 |
| 6 | $115,805 | $9,650 |
| 7 | $118,437 | $9,870 |
| 8 | $121,069 | $10,089 |
| 9 | $123,701 | $10,308 |
| 10 | $126,333 | $10,528 |
| 11 | $128,965 | $10,747 |
| 12 | $131,597 | $10,966 |
| 13 | $134,229 | $11,186 |
| 14 | $136,860 | $11,405 |
| 15 | $139,492 | $11,624 |
