Relating to an early childhood integrated data system.

Contracts

• State Vendor Contracts: If you provide IT, software, or consulting services to TEA, TWC, or HHSC, your contracts will be amended to require compliance with the new ECIDS architecture and stricter cybersecurity protocols (Sec. 10.002(b)(3)).
• Provider Agreements: Childcare providers operating under TWC subsidies or Pre-K partnerships should anticipate amendments in the 2026 renewal cycle. These will likely include clauses requiring cooperation with data validation audits to ensure your reported data matches the new state standards.

Hiring/Training

• Administrative Training: Your intake and administrative staff must be retrained on data entry standards once the agencies harmonize definitions. For example, how "attendance" and "family income" are defined may change to ensure consistency between TWC and TEA.
• IT Coordination: No new hires are required, but you must designate a point of contact to work with your software vendors to ensure your systems can export data in the format the state will mandate.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• Unique Identifiers (UIDs): The system relies on matching records across agencies. You will likely be required to collect and input specific UIDs (e.g., TSDS IDs) for all children and families in your care.
• Data Hygiene: Audit your current data immediately. The state will aggregate data you have already submitted. If your historical reporting to TWC or TEA is inaccurate, it will skew the public perception of your facility's outcomes when the data is published.

Fees & Costs

• Software Upgrades: There are no direct fees paid to the state. However, if your current software vendor charges for "custom reporting" or API integrations needed to connect to ECIDS, you will bear that cost.
• Cyber Liability: Review your cyber insurance. While the state secures the central system, you are liable for the security of the data *before* it leaves your server.