Travis County Plans 1,000 New Child Care Slots by Fall 2025

Travis County families could soon see a major boost in child care availability thanks to the $75 million CARES initiative approved by voters last year. The first round of funding is expected to help create up to 1,000 new child care slots, with services potentially starting as early as fall 2025.

Focus on Underserved Communities

The initiative is especially targeted at addressing gaps in care for infants, toddlers, and school-aged children needing after-school support. County officials say expanding access in underserved areas is a top priority, aiming to ease pressure on families who often face long waitlists or lack of options close to home.

Partnerships with Schools and Workforce Programs

Travis County is working to finalize contracts this summer with key partners, including Workforce Solutions and local school districts like Austin ISD. These collaborations are expected to streamline the rollout and help identify the families and neighborhoods with the greatest needs.

Meeting Soaring Demand

Currently, more than 5,000 children are on the waitlist for child care subsidies in the county, a figure that underscores the urgency behind this expansion. While the new slots won’t eliminate the wait entirely, county leaders say it’s a meaningful step forward.