Two different workforce boards handle the program in our area. Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas serves Dallas County. Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas serves a 14-county region that includes Collin, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman and Rockwall.
Its value for private school families is what TEFA can't pay for. Before- and after-school care is excluded from the account, but a child care scholarship can cover it at a participating provider, including many church preschools and school-run extended-day programs.
Expect a wait. When we checked in October 2026, the North Central Texas board's parent page listed a waitlist of up to 36 months. Apply early through the state's child care portal, and ask your provider whether it accepts the subsidy and holds a Texas Rising Star rating, which also helps it qualify as a TEFA pre-K provider.
Combining it with other sources
Few Dallas families pay with one source alone. This one generally stacks with a school's own discounts and need-based aid and with at least one other source on our funding list, and the funding check lays out the combination that fits your child.