Thread by @ErinForYall

Some highlights from today's legislator and staff call with @TXWorkforce. Thread. #hd45

.@TXWorkforce had a lot of information about childcare. As of yesterday (05/26), TWC has 26,000 kids enrolled in the essential workers program. The enrollment deadline closed on 05/20, but apps received on or before will still be processed.

.@TXWorkforce waived the parent share of cost for all at-risk families for 2 months. It will be reinstated effective June 1, but can be waived on a case-by-case basis for extenuating circumstances.

For childcare providers, @TXWorkforce implemented a 25% enhanced reimbursement in response to local control orders that limited class sizes. Closed providers will be eligible for a stabilization grant intended to help defray the fixed costs that providers might have incurred.

.@TXWorkforce also rolled out an online availability portal (part of the frontlinechildcare.texas.gov website) that childcare providers can use to indicate how many spaces that they have available. They're also helping providers access cleaning supplies.

$240 M was made available across the state ($200 M from the #CARESAct and $40 M from the state). This funding covers the parent share cost, enhanced reimbursement, and 3 months of childcare for essential workers.

Since the week ending in March 14, @TXWorkforce has received 2.7 M claims for UIB. $7.9 B paid out in UIB, and $4.9 B has been paid out in $600/week additional payments. Also paid $35 M in pandemic emergency unemployment compensation program (the extra 13 weeks).

$800 million in payments went out just yesterday in @TXWorkforce's largest single-day payout. Their call centers are averaging around 90,000 unique callers per day, making close to 1 million call attempts each day.

Last week @TXWorkforce began a large scale effort to notify claimants who have filed claims but have not made a single payment request. 254,000 people were notified and will receive a follow-up text message on their assigned day to request payments.

.@TXWorkforce is also continuing to notify claimants who have exhausted regular benefits but could be eligible for the additional 13 weeks.

Thanks again to @TXWorkforce for keeping us updated.