Technical Assistance is the provision of information, advice, training and consultation provided to a child care operation to help comply with, maintain, and/or more effectively meet minimum standards and achieve program excellence. This page holds a collection of resources commonly used by Child Care Licensing staff to provide Technical Assistance.

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Technical Assistance Library Online Help

Technical Assistance Library Help

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is providing the Technical Assistance Library as a free online resource containing useful information for the General Public, Day Care Providers, and Residential Care Providers.

Please do not use the browser's back button to modify search criteria.

Screen Reader Considerations
Filtering the Display of Technical Assistance Documents
Clearing Filters
Using Search
Viewing Technical Assistance Documents

Screen Reader Considerations

If you are using a screen reader, the following suggestions will improve your experience on the Technical Assistance Library search page.

Select the Disable Table Grouping checkbox to format the search results in a simple table format. The results table will then contain simple column headers. If Disable Table Grouping is not selected, the search results are formatted as a complex table.
Use the available search options to reduce the number of documents listed in the results table. Search options for program area, operation type, and language can be found in the Refine Search section. Search results are found in the Technical Assistance Documents section.
Be aware that you may find the same document listed multiple times if the search criteria are too broad.
A list of currently active search filters can be found at the top of the Technical Assistance Documents section, above the results table. You can delete an individual filter by selecting the [x] link that immediately follows the filter name. You can remove all search filters at once using the Reset button or the [Clear All Filters] link.
Screen reader verbosity options should be set to announce both the button value and title, if possible. The button title provides an additional description of the button function.

Filtering the Display of Technical Assistance Documents

You can filter the list of Technical Assistance documents that are displayed in the list by using the side navigation. For example, if you want to find all Technical Assistance documents that are available for day care operations, select 'Day Care'. You can further filter the list by selecting a specific operation type such as 'Licensed Child Care Center'. If you choose a specific operation type, then the Standard Categories that have Technical Assistance documents associated with them will be displayed on the side navigation.

Clearing Filters

Please do not use the browser's back button to clear search criteria as this will cause you to navigate off the page. Instead, you can clear filters that you previously set in either of the following ways:

Clear individual filters by selecting the [x] associated with the filter you want to clear. For example if you have filtering criteria as follows:

Filtering Criteria: Day Care [x] > Licensed Child-Care Center [x] > Abuse/Neglect Definitions - TAC 745 [x] (4 Results) [Clear All Filters]

You can display Technical Assistance documents associated with additional Standard Categories by clicking on the [x] after Abuse/Neglect Definitions - TAC 745.
To clear all filters, select [Clear All Filters] displayed next to the active filters or click the Reset button.

Using Search

In addition to using the side navigation, you can search for documents by entering search criteria in the 'Search' textbox and selecting 'Apply'. To find Technical Assistance documents that have 'fire' in the title or short description, enter 'fire' in the textbox and hit Enter. To clear filters and redisplay all Technical Assistance documents, select [Clear All Filters].

Viewing Technical Assistance Documents

You can view a specific Technical Assistance document by clicking on the title of the document.

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Technical Assistance Documents

Displaying All Technical Assistance Documents

Program		Operation Type

		Title	Description	Standard Section
Program: Day Care (Continued on the next page)
	Operation Type: Before/After School Program (Continued on the next page)
		2022 Child Care Relief Fund	The Texas Workforce Commission wants to help your child care business thrive as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. TWC will invite child care programs to apply in early 2022. This funding will reimburse allowable, documented operational costs including personnel (payroll, wage stipends, retention bonuses, etc.) incurred between September 1, 2021 and May 31, 2023. (English)	Administration and Communication, Application and Issuance - TAC 745, Inspections and Investigations - TAC 745, Texas Family Code, Chapter 261
		2022 Child Care Relief Fund - Fondo de Ayuda para el Cuidado Infantil	La Comisi�n de la Fuerza Laboral de Texas desea que su negocio prospere mientras continuamos recuper�ndonos de los efectos de la pandemia COVID-19. TWC will invite child care programs to apply in early 2022. This funding will reimburse allowable, documented operational costs including personnel (payroll, wage stipends, retention bonuses, etc.) incurred between September 1, 2021 and May 31, 2023. (Spanish)	Administration and Communication, Application and Issuance - TAC 745, Regulation - TAC 745
		Accommodating Special Diets in Child Care	Tips for accommodating special diets ranging from food allergies to parental preferences. (English)	Administration and Communication, Nutrition and Food Service
		Accommodating Special Diets in Child Care (Spanish)	Tips for accommodating special diets ranging from food allergies to parental preferences. (Spanish)	Administration and Communication, Nutrition and Food Service
		Accommodating Special Diets in Child Care (Vietnamese)	Tips for accommodating special diets ranging from food allergies to parental preferences. (Vietnamese)	Administration and Communication, Nutrition and Food Service
		Active Shooter Emergency Action Plan Template	This emergency action plan template is to help organizations prepare their personnel for active shooter scenarios. (English)	Administration and Communication, Fire Safety, Personnel, Safety Practices
		Active Shooter Resource: What You Can Do	Run, Hide, Fight-resource to share with staff to prepare for an active shooter scenario. (English)	Administration and Communication, Personnel, Safety Practices
		Active Supervision at a Glance	Supervision strategies that allow children to explore their environment safely while being directly supervised. (English)	Active Play, Activities, Field Trips, Personnel
		Adapting the Child Care Environment for Special Needs	Many child care providers work with children who have disabilities or special needs. Remember that children with special needs are children first, and have more similarities than differences from children without disabilities. (English)	Active Play, Activities, Personnel, Physical Facilities
		Adapting the Child Care Environment for Special Needs (Spanish)	Many child care providers work with children who have disabilities or special needs. Remember that children with special needs are children first, and have more similarities than differences from children without disabilities. (Spanish)	Active Play, Activities, Administration and Communication, Personnel, Physical Facilities
		Adapting the Child Care Environment for Special Needs (Vn)	Many child care providers work with children who have disabilities or special needs. Remember that children with special needs are children first, and have more similarities than differences from children without disabilities. (Vietnamese)	Active Play, Activities, Administration and Communication, Health Practices, Personnel, Physical Facilities, Ratios and Group Sizes
		Adapting Toys and Play Materials	Although adaptation is most commonly associated with children with disabilities, toys can and should be adapted whenever any child � or group of children � needs extra assistance. The following ideas illustrate ways that early childhood toys and play materials can be adapted. (English)	Active Play, Activities
		Adapting Toys and Play Materials (Spanish)	Although adaptation is most commonly associated with children with disabilities, toys can and should be adapted whenever any child � or group of children � needs extra assistance. The following ideas illustrate ways that early childhood toys and play materials can be adapted. (Spanish)	Active Play, Activities, Administration and Communication
		Adapting Toys and Play Materials (Vn)	Although adaptation is most commonly associated with children with disabilities, toys can and should be adapted whenever any child � or group of children � needs extra assistance. The following ideas illustrate ways that early childhood toys and play materials can be adapted. (Vietnamese)	Active Play, Activities, Administration and Communication
		Adding Minimum Standards to Smart Devices (iOS)	Updated guide to add the minimum standards to your smart device. (iOS/iPhone/iPad)(English) (English)	Abuse/Neglect Definitions - TAC 745, Actions - TAC 745, Active Play, Activities, Administration and Communication, Application and Issuance - TAC 745, Background Checks - TAC 745, Discipline, Field Trips, Fire Safety, Health Practices, Human Resources Code, Chapter 42, Human Resources Code, Chapter 43, Immunizations - TAC 745, Inspections and Investigations - TAC 745, Naptime, Nutrition and Food Service, Personnel, Physical Facilities, Pools, Ratios and Group Sizes, Record Keeping, Regulation - TAC 745, Safety Practices, Texas Family Code, Chapter 261, Transportation
		After the Hurricane-Keeping Children Safe	Keep children safe and at ease through the wait and associated cleanup of Hurricane Harvey (English)	Activities, Administration and Communication
		Ages and Stages - Preschoolers/ Pre-Kindergarteners	This document provides an overview of the characteristics of children ages three to five years. (English)	Activities
		Ages and Stages - Preschoolers/ Pre-Kindergarteners (Sp)	This document provides an overview of the characteristics of children ages three to five years. (Spanish)	Activities
		Ages and Stages - Preschoolers/ Pre-Kindergarteners (Vn)	This document provides an overview of the characteristics of children ages three to five years. (Vietnamese)	Activities
		Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan by AAP (Updated)	Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan by AAP (Updated) In situations when you are not with your child, these written plans will also arm nurses, teachers, coaches, parents, relatives, babysitters, etc. with the tools they need in the event of an emergency. (English)	Actions - TAC 745, Active Play, Activities, Administration and Communication, Field Trips, Health Practices, Nutrition and Food Service, Personnel, Regulation - TAC 745, Safety Practices
		Anchor It Initiative	Anchor items such as TV's, bookshelves (English)	Health Practices, Physical Facilities, Safety Practices
		Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play	Safe sleep and tummy time information from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Obtained from Healthy Children.org (English)	Active Play, Activities, Health Practices, Naptime, Safety Practices
		Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play (Spanish)	Safe sleep and tummy time information from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Obtained from Healthy Children.org (Spanish)	Active Play, Activities, Health Practices, Naptime, Safety Practices
		Basic Tools for Guiding Young Children's Behavior	Basic tools that can be used to guide children's behaviors in a positive and consistent direction. The importance of focusing on positive behaviors, providing constructive feedback, and teaching children how to correct the effects of their behavior. (English)	Administration and Communication, Discipline, Personnel
		Basic Tools for Guiding Young Children's Behavior. (Spanish)	Basic tools that can be used to guide children's behaviors in a positive and consistent direction. The importance of focusing on positive behaviors, providing constructive feedback, and teaching children how to correct the effects of their behavior. (Spanish)	Administration and Communication, Discipline, Personnel
		Basic Tools for Guiding Young Children's Behaviors. (Vietnamese)	Basic tools that can be used to guide children's behaviors in a positive and consistent direction. The importance of focusing on positive behaviors, providing constructive feedback, and teaching children how to correct the effects of their behavior. (Vietnamese)	Administration and Communication, Discipline, Personnel
		Benefits of Becoming a Regulated Child Care Provider [ENG]	This flyer shares with potential child care providers the benefits of becoming a regulated child care provider and is aimed at expanding the child care community. [English] (English)	Administration and Communication, Application and Issuance - TAC 745
		Benefits of Becoming a Regulated Child Care Provider [SPN]	[Spanish]This flyer shares with potential child care providers the benefits of becoming a regulated child care provider and is aimed at expanding the child care community. Available in (Spanish)	Administration and Communication, Application and Issuance - TAC 745, Human Resources Code, Chapter 42, Human Resources Code, Chapter 43, Regulation - TAC 745
		Benefits of Choosing Regulated Child Care	This flyer provides the public and parents with the benefits of choosing regulated child care and guides them to use txchildcaresearch.org. (English)	Administration and Communication, Application and Issuance - TAC 745, Human Resources Code, Chapter 42, Human Resources Code, Chapter 43, Regulation - TAC 745
		Benefits of Choosing Regulated Child Care [SPN]	[Spanish] This flyer provides the public and parents with the benefits of choosing regulated child care and guides them to use txchildcaresearch.org. (Spanish)	Administration and Communication, Application and Issuance - TAC 745, Human Resources Code, Chapter 42, Human Resources Code, Chapter 43, Regulation - TAC 745
		Blood Lead Levels in Children	Lead exposure occurs when a child comes in contact with lead by swallowing or breathing in lead or lead dust. After a child inhales or swallows lead, it quickly enters the blood. There is no safe level of lead in blood. Learn more on how you can protect children from lead. (English)	Health Practices, Human Resources Code, Chapter 42, Human Resources Code, Chapter 43, Physical Facilities, Safety Practices
		Books Beginning at Birth - Information for Families (Eng)	If you live in a Texas Opportunity Zone and have young children (birth to 4 years old), you can sign up to get 3 books every 6 months delivered to you! information from TXAEYC and Bookspring (English)	Active Play, Activities, Administration and Communication, Naptime, Personnel
		Books Beginning at Birth - Information for Families (Spn)	If you live in a Texas Opportunity Zone and have young children (birth to 4 years old), you can sign up to get 3 books every 6 months delivered to you! information from TXAEYC and Bookspring (Spanish)	Active Play, Activities, Administration and Communication, Naptime, Personnel
		Books Beginning at Birth - Information for Partners (Eng)	If your organization or agency serves children 4 and under, we need your help to reach all families living in Texas Opportunity Zones. Apply to host a book distribution event! (English)	Active Play, Activities, Administration and Communication, Naptime, Personnel
		Books Beginning at Birth - Information for Partners (Spn)	Apply to host a book distribution event! Si su organizaci�n o agencia atiende a ni�os menores de 4 a�os, necesitamos su ayuda para contactar a todas las familias que viven en las Zonas de Oportunidad de Texas. �Pueden aplicar para organizar una distribuci�n de libros! (Spanish)	Active Play, Activities, Administration and Communication, Naptime, Personnel
		Bringing ECI Services to Families through Telehealth	The Texas Health and Human Services Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program works with families of children, birth to 36 months, who have developmental delays or disabilities. ECI services are now also available through telehealth. (English)	Active Play, Activities, Administration and Communication, Health Practices, Personnel, Record Keeping, Regulation - TAC 745
		CACFP Child Meal Pattern-Chart	USDA Child Meal Pattern 2016 (English)	Nutrition and Food Service
		CACFP Child Meal Plan Updated 2017	USDA recently revised the CACFP meal patterns to ensure children and adults have access to healthy, balanced meals throughout the day. (English)	Nutrition and Food Service
		CACFP Meal Pattern Resources	Helpful links and resources for Child Care providers on implementing the CACFP Meal Patterns in their centers, homes and programs. (English)	Activities, Administration and Communication, Health Practices, Nutrition and Food Service, Personnel, Record Keeping
		Carbon Monoxide Poster	A poster about the dangers of Carbon Monoxide from the CDC. (English)	Application and Issuance - TAC 745, Inspections and Investigations - TAC 745, Physical Facilities, Safety Practices
		Cars & Kids: How to Avoid Dangerous Situations	Safety tips to prevent leaving children in hot vehicles. Safety tips to prevent leaving children in running vehicles. Safety tips for children when around parked cars. (English)	Personnel, Transportation
		Cars & Kids: How to Avoid Dangerous Situations (Spanish)	Safety tips to prevent leaving children in hot vehicles. Safety tips to prevent leaving children in running vehicles. Safety tips for children when around parked cars. (Spanish)	Personnel, Transportation
		Cars & Kids: How to Avoid Dangerous Situations (Vietnamese)	Safety tips to prevent leaving children in hot vehicles. Safety tips to prevent leaving children in running vehicles. Safety tips for children when around parked cars. (Vietnamese)	Personnel, Transportation
		CDA Credentialing Process Overview	CDA process broken into steps to guide the CDA candidate in the application of the CDA process. (English)	Administration and Communication, Personnel
		CDA Renewal Process Overview	Steps for completion of the CDA renewal. Renewal is required every 3 years. (English)	Administration and Communication, Personnel
		CDC Human Milk Storage Guidelines	An infographic provided by the CDC on Safe Storage of Breast Milk. (English)	Health Practices, Nutrition and Food Service
		CDC Human Milk Storage Guidelines (Spanish)	An infographic provided by the CDC on Safe Storage of Breast Milk. (Spanish)	Health Practices, Nutrition and Food Service, Safety Practices
		Checking the Sex Offender Registry	This provides information on how to check the sex offender registry and take precautions to keep children in care safe. (English)	Abuse/Neglect Definitions - TAC 745, Actions - TAC 745, Active Play, Activities, Administration and Communication, Application and Issuance - TAC 745, Background Checks - TAC 745, Discipline, Field Trips, Fire Safety, Health Practices, Human Resources Code, Chapter 42, Human Resources Code, Chapter 43, Immunizations - TAC 745, Inspections and Investigations - TAC 745, Naptime, Nutrition and Food Service, Personnel, Physical Facilities, Pools, Ratios and Group Sizes, Record Keeping, Regulation - TAC 745, Safety Practices, Texas Family Code, Chapter 261, Transportation