Our Mission
CHILDREN AT RISK serves as a catalyst for change to improve the quality of life for children through strategic research, public policy analysis, education, collaboration, and advocacy.
What We Do
Data & Research
We use research and data to understand the needs of Texas children and their families. This research drives our advocacy agenda and helps us develop evidence-based policy recommendations.
Policy Advocacy
Research and data alone are not enough to drive change for children. We use our research to develop bipartisan policy recommendations that have the most impact and speak up to inform policymakers.
Collaboration
We work better together. We rely on partners across the state to support our research and data collection, provide regional insights, and amplify our advocacy efforts through collective action.
Our Areas of Expertise
CHILDREN AT RISK focuses on 3 key areas that can help break the cycle of poverty and enable children to learn, thrive, and meet their full potential.
Education
Health
Safety & Opportunity
We are committed to viewing all the work we do with an Equity & Justice lens and an Immigrant Children lens.
Equity & Justice
Immigrant Children
Upcoming Events & Activities
Feb 18-23
2025 Learning Tour: Lima, Peru
CHILDREN AT RISK will lead a learning tour to educate staff and guests on health, education and welfare issues facing children in Peru and how it differs from the systems in the U.S.
March 6
Early Childhood Education Advocacy Day
CHILDREN AT RISK and the TXAEYC invite you to join Texas Legislators in highlighting the importance of quality, affordable child care for working families and the Texas economy. Join us on the South Steps of the Capitol and make your voices heard!
March 13
Protecting Children in the Digital Age: Solutions for Preventing Exploitation & Trafficking
This Summit will examine emerging threats and prevention strategies in the digital age. Expert speakers from child safety organizations, law enforcement, and policy sectors will explore the intersection of AI, social media, and trafficking.
The Latest from C@R
Expanding Support for Opportunity Youth and Young Adults in Texas
TEXAS (February 20, 2025) — Expanding Support for Opportunity Youth and Young Adults in Texas CHILDREN AT RISK (C@R) is excited to announce we have received a $200,000 grant from the Trellis Foundation to strengthen our advocacy initiatives supporting Opportunity...
Press Conference: CHILDREN AT RISK and Immigration Advocates Gather in Response to Sweeping Policy Changes
C@R and other advocates highlight the imminent harm to millions of undocumented individuals and mixed-status families as the new administration fulfills its anti-immigration campaign promises TEXAS (January 21, 2025) — On its first day in office, the Trump...
2025 Anti-Human Trafficking Advocacy Day Recap
Anti-Human Trafficking Advocacy Day AUSTIN, TX (January 30, 2025) – Human trafficking continues to devastate vulnerable populations in Texas, with children in foster care and the juvenile justice system disproportionately at risk. In 2022, only 332 of the 38,294...
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