CHILDREN AT RISK is the only nonprofit organization driving macro-level change for the children of Texas by focusing solely on the well-being of the whole child. The organization conducts research and advocacy, actively advising legislators to improve the quality of life for Texas’ children in the areas of health and nutrition, education, human trafficking and parenting.
On September 17, we need YOU to show your support to make North Texas children a priority and ensure ample resources are available for them and their families to thrive. Give $25 or more via NorthTexasGivingDay.org on September 17th between 6:00 am and midnight and your donations will be multiplied from a pool of $2 million of bonus funds and prizes!
Support Early Child Development in North Texas
It is important that children receive high quality education during the early years of their lives, which are most crucial to development. Quality early education increases school readiness, contributes to better student academic outcomes, and increases high school graduation rates, especially in children of low socioeconomic status.
When it comes to early education, there may be no better investment the state can make that will yield this type of return. Nonetheless, during the 82nd legislative session in 2011, Texas pre-K programs lost $223 million in discretionary grant cuts. This resulted in many full-day pre-K programs being reduced to half-day programs or eliminated entirely.
In September 2014, CHILDREN AT RISK published a report on the current state of pre-Kindergarten in Texas that includes recommendations on the best practices for maximizing existing resources and expanding support for pre-Kindergarten in the state of Texas.
In 2015, CHILDREN AT RISK, with the support of Board members, stakeholders from across the state, as well as close collaboration with other organizations, successfully pushed to pass HB 4 (Huberty), which established a high-quality pre-K program for public schools in Texas that must meet certain requirements, including data transparency, teacher certification, curriculum standards and parent engagement.
Schools that meet these requirements are eligible to receive additional funding to enhance their pre-K programs. This bill also requires participating schools to evaluate their programs and make the data available to parents of students.
Your support enables CHILDREN AT RISK to advocate successfully for public policy changes that better support Texas children. Give $25 or more to via NorthTexasGivingDay.org on September 17th between 6:00 am and midnight and your donations will be multiplied from a pool of $2 million of bonus funds and prizes!
