Frequently Asked Questions

• Employers are not inundated with a written notice of application for unemployment benefits for each individual who files a claim
• The employer is considered an interested party to each claim filed
• Employers are given the opportunity to submit the claimant’s final week’s earnings (which may affect entitlement for that week)
• Employees establish claims more efficiently and easily and receive timely payment of benefits

CCS offices are located at:

500 Chestnut Ste. 1100

Abilene, TX 79602

Offices are open 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. You can also reach the CCS offices by phone at (325) 795-4200 or (800) 457-5633.

• Brown
• Callahan
• Coleman
• Comanche
• Eastland
• Fisher
• Haskell
• Jones
• Kent
• Knox
• Mitchell
• Nolan
• Runnels
• Scurry
• Shackelford
• Stephens
• Stonewall
• Taylor
• Throckmorton

• Are Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamp) Employment and Training participants
• Are Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) / Choices eligible 
• Are transitioning from TANF / Choices to work 
• Have applied for TANF benefits

• Parent(s) - An adult responsible for the care and supervision of the child, identified as the child’s natural parent, adoptive parent, stepparent, or legal guardian
• Caretaker(s) - An adult who performs all parental functions for a child including the provision of food, clothing, shelter, and supervision
• Child - A person who is under 18 years of age

• Child support 
• Court settlements or judgments
• Income from estate and trust funds 
• Net income from self-employment 
• Pensions, annuities, life insurance, and retirement income 
• Public assistance payments 
• Rental income 
• Spousal maintenance or alimony 
• Taxable capital gains, dividends, and interest 
• Total gross earnings 
• Unemployment compensation 
• Workers' compensation income, death benefit payments, and other disability payments 

• Termination of child care service
• Reimbursement to Workforce Solutions / provider by the parent for child care services delivered 
• Other legal actions as appropriate

To get on the waiting list for child care assistance, you can complete an online application or contact us and an application will be mailed to you.

Submit a wait list application online or by mail at:

CCS

500 Chestnut Street.

Suite 1100

Abilene, TX 79602

You will be notified when funds become available.

For more information, please view

• All children are attending the provider part time
• All children in the Child Care Services (CCS) child care attend after school programs
• Your household has seven or more members 

• Cooperated with the Attorney General’s office to establish paternity when necessary 
• Filed for child support 
• Enrolled every child in the family younger than eighteen in school 
• Has given assurance to Workforce Solutions that she or he has not used, sold, or possessed any controlled substances, nor abused alcohol

Workforce Solutions has a maximum amount of payment, which can be reimbursed to a Relative Provider up to the maximum rates established for that specific age group and type care.

• Review and sign a Relative Provider Rate Schedule 
• Complete forms for the IRS (W-9) 
• Submit copies of picture identification and the provider's Social Security card

A 10'x10' booth space can be purchased for $50. Additional booth spaces are available for $25 each, but some years we have a sponsor to help with the cost. So be sure to check with us!

The 10'x10' space comes with 1 table, 2 chairs, electricity, free WiFi, continental breakfast, and 2 lunch tickets.

Yes! Nonprofits can purchase their booth space at half price.

Yes! We use PayPal to securely process credit card transactions online. After the registration form is complete, you will have the option of paying via PayPal on the confirmation page.

Yes! Checks for booth fees and extra lunch tickets can be made out and sent to us at the address below:

Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas

ATTN: WOW Youth Expo

500 Chestnut, Suite 1200

Abilene, TX 79602

The WOW Youth Expo is at the Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N 6th Street, Abilene, TX 79601

The expo portion of the event begins at 10am and ends at 2pm. Get there early for free continental breakfast!

Yes! Booth fees include 2 free lunch tickets. If a business or organization needs more than 2 tickets for their representatives, they can be purchased for $10 each prior to the event.

The key to attracting youth to your booth is to have ENGAGING hands-on materials, activities, games, competitions, etc. The more real-world engagement your booth has, the more students will interact. Also, sending representatives who students can relate to is beneficial.

Exhibitors can bring in equipment and materials from 3-5pm the day before, or from 8-10am the day of. We just ask that you have your booth ready by 10am the morning of the event for students to enter the expo area at 10:15am.

We hope you will! Small vehicles, boats, etc. can fit in the exhibit hall. There is also outdoor exhibit space for large vehicles, cranes, machinery, trailers, etc.

The WOW Youth Expo features a keynote speaker and 100+ engaging exhibitors from business/industry, post-secondary schools, and regional organizations, as well as mock interviews for juniors and seniors. This event provides students a unique opportunity to engage with exhibitors from a variety of career clusters, immerse themselves in the world of work, and perhaps help them identify or verify their career pathway!

The event is for students in 8th-12th grade.

Nope! The WOW Youth Expo is free for schools, students, and parents to participate!

Yes! There is a place on the registration form for you to tell us if there are multiple groups attending at different start times from your campus.

The time you select is the time your school starts the event experience. When students arrive at WOW, they immediately go in to the keynote address before visiting with exhibitors and conducting mock interviews. The same keynote is scheduled three times to "kickoff" the event for that group of participating students. Having three different start times allows us to stagger students throughout the duration of the event so everybody has a great experience!

Schools are welcome to arrive beginning 30 minutes prior to their designated start time. The group prior may still be in he keynote though, so students will have space to wait outside the auditorium until the doors open for their session. We suggest that 10-15 minutes early is a good window.

Parents are encouraged to visit the event anytime between 10am and 2pm. Pre-event registration for parents is not required but highly encouraged. If they would like to register, they need to do so at least a week in advance so we have enough materials prepared! 

We have a student worksheet designed specifically to help students get ready beforehand and actively engage with exhibitors on-site. Just let us know how many worksheets you need and we’ll mail them to your school!

Absolutely! We love having students participate as exhibitors to highlight programs, groups, or initiatives at their school. Just let us know on the registration form that you're interested!

No, but there is space to accommodate schools wishing to provide lunch to their students on-site before returning to their campus. Just let us know on the registration form if you'll need space for your students to eat!

Yes! There is no minimum (or maximum) amount of students required to attend WOW.

The WOW Youth Expo features a keynote speaker and 100+ engaging exhibitors from business/industry, post-secondary schools, and regional organizations, as well as mock interviews for juniors and seniors. This event provides students a unique opportunity to engage with exhibitors from a variety of career clusters, immerse themselves in the world of work, and perhaps help them identify or verify their career pathway!

Parents are encouraged to visit the event anytime between 10am and 2pm. Pre-event registration for parents is not required but highly encouraged. If you would like to register, we would like you to do so at least a week prior to the event so we have enough materials prepared!

Nope! The WOW Youth Expo is free for schools, students, and parents to participate!

The benefits are endless! Being a WOW sponsor means your organization is investing in our future workforce. It also: creates interest in your products and services, promotes your organization regionally, and provides name recognition to a highly desirable audience.

It depends on the level, but all sponsorships will include booth space and exposure in print and electronic media for an entire year. Check out our sponsorship opportunities for details.

Not a problem! We have customized packages to meet your needs. Just email us at wow@workforcesystem.org or call 325-795-4327.

Mock interviews are offered to junior and senior students, and provide the opportunity to practice an important skill in a real world setting with area professionals. This portion of the event will be "free flowing". As students check-in they will be paired with an interviewer. If all interviewers are matched then students will wait until an interviewer is available.

Interviews will begin at 10:20am and go until around 1:50pm. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to participate in an interview once released from the keynote, before they start visiting with the exhibitors.

Individual interviews will last approximately 20 minutes. They may be shorter or longer depending on how prepared the student is and how many questions the interviewer has.

Mock interviews will be held in a separate conference room of the Convention Center, away from exhibitor activities. The room will be setup with rows of tables and chairs for interviewers and interviewees. The exact room location will be sent prior to the event, and clearly marked the day-of!

Standard questions encountered in an interview for a real world job. Interviewers will be provided a list of sample questions for the interview as well as a feedback form; however, the interviewer will ultimately determine what questions he/she asks and the feedback provided.

Nope, just an interest in helping our youth prepare for their future!

A significant body of research has proven that students who have opportunities to apply what they are learning in the classroom to work settings can be beneficial. In addition to reporting improvements in competency, students who participate in WBL are more likely to earn higher wages in their future employment. 

More recent research underscores the importance of the social capital young learners developed through work-based learning experiences, and just how valuable that can be for lifelong prospects. The supervisors, mentors, and colleagues that young workers engage with during a WBL experience can be transformational, especially during an era of “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” 

Employers who partner to provide Work-based learning opportunities reap rewards, especially during tight labor markets. In addition to reporting increased innovation and improved workplace diversity (which in itself results in higher profit margins), more than 80 percent of employers that supported job-shadowing, internships, and apprenticeships reported increased productivity and output. Work-based learning is also a proven talent pipeline development strategy, with many students becoming long-term employees who are trained with the precise skills, knowledge, and capacities employers need

The Work-Based Learning program encourages paid internship experiences, enabling students to gain high-quality work-based experiences while not restricting participation to those who can afford to work without compensation. Texas minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. While employers can set their own rates, employer partners are encouraged to pay a competitive wage. The Texas Workforce Commission notes that employers report paying between $12-$15 per hour for internships, and more in some in-demand fields. 

For roles that require tools and equipment or uniforms, employers may not deduct expenses for these materials to the extent that it would reduce the employee’s pay below minimum wage. Where appropriate, employers should consider providing necessary work tools and equipment directly. Where this is not possible, either because employers cannot accommodate additional expenses or because student workers cannot absorb additional costs, the employer should connect with Workforce Solutions. The Workforce Solutions team may be able to identify other funding sources to cover tools, materials, and uniforms for student workers.

Yes. With the exception of a few occupations, 16 and 17-year-olds are able to work in many different types of jobs. The students participating in WBL experiences supported through Workforce Solutions will have received some form of occupational training through their high school programming. Participants are also required to complete a Work Readiness workshop designed to ensure they understand their rights as workers and are prepared to succeed.

Students age 16-17 are restricted from working in particular occupations that have been deemed hazardous, including manufacturing of explosives, driver, coal mine occupations, logging and other occupations. For certain occupations, including woodworking, metal forming, saw use, roofing, and excavation jobs, student learners may be employed under a written agreement.

Typically, a student will be able to work 50-150 hours over 10-15 weeks, depending on the employer’s needs and the student’s academic and extracurricular obligations. During summer months, students may be able to work full-time.

In all employment relationships, there is the possibility that the employer or the employee wishes to end the arrangement. In the event the employer decides that the participant must be released prior to the end of the defined work-based learning experience, the employer is responsible for informing both the high school and Workforce Solutions. The decision to terminate the participant’s employment is entirely at the discretion of the employer for cause or convenience. The work-based learning participant may also voluntarily resign. In all cases, partners recognize that terminating the relationship may affect the participant’s high school graduation plan.  

In the event the termination is for cause, it is understood that: 

• The employee has received clear guidance and has understanding (by way of the employee handbook and onboarding activities) of the requirements of the position, including standards of conduct and progressive discipline policies of the employer. 
  
  
• The employer will inform the participant prior to termination of the reason for termination and provide a copy to the education partner and Workforce Solutions. 
   
• All customary and normal employer efforts to maintain the employment of the student worker will be made in the same manner the employer affords any other employee. 

If the employee is terminated for convenience, it is understood that: 

• The employer will communicate with the education partner and Workforce Solutions at the earliest opportunity prior to termination to enable alternative arrangements.  

If the employee voluntarily resigns, it is understood that: 

• The employer will communicate with the high school and Workforce Solutions when notified by the employee of their intent to resign, or within three working days after the student fails to report to work.

In positive situations, employers may wish to end their agreement to bring a student on as a full-time hire. While attention should be paid to ensuring the student can continue with their education and complete the credential aligned with the work-based learning experience, WBL-to-hire is a sign of a strong program. The employer should notify Workforce Solutions of their plans to make an offer and follow their standard hiring procedures. 

To assess the workforce and social outcomes of the program, as well as to ensure that students from all backgrounds are able to participate, Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas will work with partner high schools and employers to collect the following information: 

• Student Name, Age, Grade and Demographics
• Student High School
• Student Interview and Job Offer outcomes
• Employer Name
• Position Description
• Hourly wage 
• Experience duration
• Learning outcomes assessment
• Credits earned

Workforce Solutions will also conduct periodic check-ins with the student and employer to assess satisfaction and quality, and to continuously improve the program. 

Q: What format should the video be submitted in?

• Videos must be submitted in a .wmv, .mov, .mpg, or .mpeg format.

Q: Can a professional video production company create our video?

•  No, students are encouraged to explore video creation and produce their own videos.

Q: When do entries have to be submitted?

•  Entries are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, March 10, 2023.

Q: Where do I submit the video file(s)?

• Please submit videos through our website submission form. If the file size is larger than 20 MB you will be prompted to select an alternative submission method.

Q: What will be done with the videos after the contest? 

• Videos will be shared on Workforce's social media profiles, website, and through other marketing initiatives. They will also be used for CTE Month (February) and be made available to educators, parents, and students. Submitted videos will be considered the exclusive property of Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas.

Q: Do I need media releases for students participating in the contest?

• Yes, please ensure that video participants have releases filed with the school. The video submission form has a section that addresses the media releases and video rights once submitted. We have also provided our media release form if you would like to use it.

Q: What is the purpose of this video contest?

•  To promote awareness of career opportunities in the West Central Texas region and generate high-quality, local resources for use by students, parents, educators, Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas, participating businesses, industry associations, and the general public.

Q: Can students/teachers from a private school participate?

•  Students from a licensed/accredited school are able to participate. However, they will require a teacher sponsor.

Q: What grades are considered middle school and high school?

•  Middle school divisions will include 6th-8th grades and high school divisions will include 9th-12th grades.

Q: Can school-sponsored organizations submit videos?

• Yes! Formalized organizations such as Student Council, National Honor Society, FFA, etc. are able to participate. If you're not sure if your group is considered a "school-sponsored" group, please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Q: If our video is selected as a finalist but we are not able to attend will we still receive the prize money?

• Yes!

Q: When and where will the winners be announced?

• At the Historic Paramount Theatre on April 11 at 10 a.m.

Q: Who will be judging the videos?

• Local employers, representatives from sectors such as education, media, etc. and community members will serve as judges.

Q: What are the scoring criteria?

• Inclusion of required content:
  • introductory title frame
  • information regarding essential knowledge, skills, and abilities
  • career pathway information (high school, post-secondary, and employment opportunities)
  • local, regional, and/or state employers
  • video credits
  • fits within required length
• Overall quality
• Effective delivery of message
• Creativity
• Entertainment value

Q: What do you mean by "interview" an employer or person in the field of work? 

• One important part of career exploration is engaging with people in the field. We strongly encourage students to visit with employers/people in the field in order to learn more about the work environment, opportunities for advancement, required knowledge, skills, and abilities, etc. Interviews will earn extra points!

Q: Do you have any resources that our students can reference for information? 

• Yes! Check the bottom of the Careers in Action webpage for resources.

No. Each board contracts with entities to operate their workforce programs, and those contractors establish processes for providing services.

No. Each board independently procures service providers to operate workforce programs. Some boards contract with one entity for all workforce services (as does West Central) while others may contract with two or more service delivery entities.

Eligibility determination can typically be made in 5-7 business days once an individual has attended an eligibility appointment and all required documentation has been received. Training sponsorship approval is a separate process.

Program eligibility is based on a variety of factors and determined prior to the administration of funds or services. The Workforce Financial Assistance Pre-Screening Guide is a useful tool for reviewing whether an individual may be able to qualify. Once an individual has been determined eligible, suitability for training sponsorship is going to be based on an individual assessment that looks at work history, education level, current skills, and interest. This part of the process evaluates the applicant's situation and goals, which may include having them complete formal interest and aptitude testing.

No. Payment to the provider is made after the Individual Training Account (ITA) is complete, the individual has started the training program, and the provider bills Workforce Solutions.

Once an individual is determined eligible and suitable for a training program, under ideal circumstances it would take about a week to complete the sponsorship process. Most sponsorships are not ideal conditions and will vary by school and their familiarity with our processes, the need for academic assessment, length of the program, and if the student is already in progress with the school or if they are just getting started.
 

Yes. The budget will vary for each board based on many factors.