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.
Upcoming Events & Activities
March 27
Stand Up for Children
Join us or an unforgettable evening of comedy, auctions, and impact that raises vital funds to support C@R’s work ensuring children have access to education, healthcare, nutrition, and a life free from exploitation.
April
Spring Texas Tour
Each spring, our Early Childhood Education team hosts virtual community roundtables across 12 major cities in Texas. During these sessions, C@R experts share updates from the research, legislative advocacy updates, and engage in meaningful grassroots conversations with child care stakeholders.
May 14
The Future of Children: Global Perspectives
Join us for a future minded event grounded in the latest developments shaping child well-being. National experts will join this virtual gathering to explore emerging systemic changes in food, health, housing, technology, immigration, and more.
June 8
CHILDREN AT RISK Golf Classic
For more than two decades, the Golf Classic has raised critical funds to advance our mission of improving the lives of children across Texas. Join us at the fabulous Houston Golf Club on June 8th to hit birdies for bright futures and fore Children!
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
The Latest from C@R
2026 Child Care Deserts Analysis
Access to High-Quality Child Care Continues to Get More Scarce April 9, 2026 | Written by Kim Kofron, Executive Director of Early Childhood Education, and Jacob Westjohn, Associate Director of the Center for Social Measurement & Evaluation, CHILDREN AT RISK (Note:...
Press Conference: Over Half of Texas Child Care Deserts Have Persisted for Years
About 64% of child care deserts in Texas indicate chronic deficits in child care seats, according to CHILDREN AT RISK’s latest statewide analysis Media Contacts:Morgan Gerri, 832.600.9354Rashena Franklin, 713.301.4577 TEXAS (April 9, 2026) – A new analysis from...
Testimony for the Governor’s ECEC Taskforce Meeting
March 31, 2026 Good morning Mr. Holt and Committee members and thank you for having me today. My name is Kim Kofron, Executive Director of Early Childhood Education at CHILDREN AT RISK. I come before you with more than 30 years of experience in the early childhood...
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