The Texas Department of State Health Services has notified all vaccine providers that they should immediately include school and child care workers in vaccine administration, as directed by the federal government. The Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services (TACFS) has long advocated for the child-welfare workforce to receive vaccine priority and welcomed this news.
“We are hopeful and optimistic that this expansion of the vaccine includes our members as licensed child-care providers, which would literally provide a needed shot in the arm to our child welfare workforce,”
Katie Olse, TACFS CEO
Over the course of the last year, organizations serving vulnerable children, youth and families in Texas have faced a number of challenges, from workforce shortages to additional safety precautions, and limits on activities, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prolonged power outages and infrastructure damage caused by the severe winter weather also created additional challenges for TACFS members.
TACFS has repeatedly visited with agency leadership and legislators about the need for the child-welfare workforce to receive priority in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.