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.
For child care programming, 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 $92,041 or less. See the income chart* for details based on household size.
For out-of-school time programming, youth are eligible if their family earns up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Income Guideline (FPIG), which is about $64,300 a year for a family of four in 2026. Students are also eligible if they attend a school within Travis County where at least 60% of students are considered economically disadvantaged, as identified by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
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 partner with local nonprofits, child care providers, out-of-school time programs, government agencies, and community organizations across Travis County. Together, we support families who need reliable, affordable care so children can grow and learn in safe, enriching environments. Our work focuses on families with limited access to quality programs and the providers who serve them.
What We Do
Raising Travis County helps eligible families access affordable high-quality child care and out-of-school time options by directing local funding to participating providers. This support strengthens the overall system of care and complements existing state programs. By reducing financial barriers and expanding access, more children can participate in high quality learning and enrichment.
How It Works
We invest in a network of licensed and/or registered providers who offer scholarship supported spots to qualifying families. Local dollars help programs grow capacity, improve quality, and retain skilled staff. By expanding scholarships, supporting care outside the 9–5, and strengthening the workforce, we make it easier for families to find care that fits their needs.
Why It Matters
When child care and out-of-school time programs are too expensive or hard to find, families face choices that disrupt employment, education, and long-term stability. These challenges affect children, families, and our local economy. Raising Travis County helps ensure families have dependable support so children can thrive and parents can pursue work and educational or training opportunities.
Our Impact
By expanding access to care, we support family stability, strengthen child development, and help providers build a more resilient workforce. Our investments increase scholarship supported spots, improve program quality, and create more equitable opportunities for children across Travis County. Each year, more families can find and afford the care they need.
Our Commitment
We are committed to building a coordinated, community informed system that supports children, families, and the providers who serve them. Through collaboration, transparency, and long-term investment, we work to ensure families in Travis County can access high quality care. Our goal is a stronger, more inclusive network of programs for all.
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 partners, 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.
Travis County families and service providers are encouraged to share their priorities, ideas, and lived experiences with the Community Advisory Council. Your insight helps shape the work that supports our community. Reach out to the Council directly at: [email protected]
| 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 & Girls Club of the Austin Area (Out-of-School Time Provider) |
| Debbi Saunders | Peace and Clarity 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) | |
| 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 | |
| Pending | Business Chamber | |
| At-Large Community Representatives | Victoria Mancha-Dodla | |
| Toña Vasquez | ||
| Jonathan Tan | ||
| Alison Alter | ||
| Emelia “Milly” Hernandez-Alba | ||
| Courtney Seals |
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 Eligibility Guidelines
Families may qualify for child care programming based on household size and annual income. The table below outlines the maximum income levels used to determine eligibility.
*Income limits are based on the 2026 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 | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $47,862 | $3,988 |
| 2 | $62,588 | $5,216 |
| 3 | $77,315 | $6,443 |
| 4 | $92,041 | $7,670 |
| 5 | $106,768 | $8,897 |
| 6 | $121,495 | $10,125 |
| 7 | $124,256 | $10,355 |
| 8 | $127,017 | $10,585 |
| 9 | $129,778 | $10,815 |
| 10 | $132,540 | $11,045 |
| 11 | $135,301 | $11,275 |
| 12 | $138,062 | $11,505 |
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Related Resources
Find quick links to learn more about the Raising Travis County team and stay up to date on program news, updates, and community events.
Learn about the staff leading the Raising Travis County program and supporting families, providers, and community partners across Central Texas.
Read the latest Raising Travis County program updates, news releases, and announcements, including community town halls and important Commissioners Court actions.
