Growing Up
BLOG POSTS, PRESS RELEASES, & ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CHILDREN AT RISK2026 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...
Recap: Third Annual Future of San Antonio Children
Leaders from across education, health care, research, and community organizations gathered in San Antonio for the third annual Future of San Antonio event to examine the latest data on child well-being and discuss strategies to improve long-term outcomes for children...
Bexar County Child Health Initiative Report 2026
CHILDREN AT RISK (C@R), Family Service, and the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University partnered to launch the CHI in response to Community Health Needs Assessments that signaled poor mental health, nutrition, and hightened rates of chronic disease for...
Recommendations for the Texas Sunset Commission Ahead of the 90th Texas Legislature
Related: Click here to read CHILDREN AT RISK’s Texas Interim Charge RecommendationsEvery 12 years, most Texas state agencies undergo a comprehensive review by the Sunset Advisory Commission, a process that includes staff analysis, public input, and legislative...
Interim Charges for the 89th Texas Legislature
Related: Click here to read CHILDREN AT RISK’s Texas Sunset Commission Recommendations.Texas lawmakers convene once every two years for the regular Texas Legislative Session. The period between sessions, known as the Interim, is a critical time for legislative study...
Press Release: Strong Start Launch
Strong Start: Greater Houston Early Childhood Education Alliance will transform the early childhood education sector across the Greater Houston area, addressing the growing gap in child care access throughout the Gulf Coast region. Media Contacts:Morgan Gerri,...
Press Conference: Ongoing Federal Actions Put Child Well-Being at Risk
Child safety and community stability is at stake with numerous ICE policies, including the admitting that hundreds of immigrant children were detained in federal detention in Texas longer than the recommended limit. Media Contacts:Morgan Gerri, 832.600.9354Rashena...
Charting Success: Supporting the Whole Child for Academic Success
Charting Success Supporting the Whole Child for Academic ExcellenceJan 2026 - Emergent Bilingual English Learners (EBEL) —who make up nearly one in five Texas public school students—demonstrate strong engagement and resilience. They show lower rates of chronic...
Texas Early Childhood Systems: Insights from the 2025 Fall Texas Tour
CHILDREN AT RISK visited 12 local communities throughout Texas to engage in grassroots conversations centered on data and the dynamic needs of the child care workforce. Every fall, our Early Childhood Education team packs our bags and hits the road, because we know...
C@R Interview Series: Education Leadership Conversations
1:1 Interviews to offer Insights on Texas Public Schools, Student Achievement, and Education Policy Media Contacts: Morgan Gerri, 832.600.9354 Rashena Franklin 713.301.4577 November through December 2025, CHILDREN AT RISK will host a Education Leadership Conversation...
Press Conference: Healthcare Costs Set to Rise for All Children and Families
Over a million Texans are on the brink of losing their healthcare coverage, skyrocketing costs in healthcare for all Americans Media Contacts:Morgan Gerri, 832.600.9354Rashena Franklin, 713.301.4577 TEXAS (November 20, 2025) – Texas already ranks as the highest...
2025 STEM Summit Recap: Connecting Education, Careers, and Communities
Bringing Educators, Experts, and Innovators Together to Strengthen STEM Opportunities for Every Child On November 13, CHILDREN AT RISK, in partnership with the Texas Family Leadership Council, welcomed educators, students, industry leaders, and community partners from...
2024-2025 Houston School Rankings
CHILDREN AT RISK Releases 2024-2025 Annual Houston School Rankings HOUSTON (Monday, November 10, 2025) – For over two decades, CHILDREN AT RISK has released its annual Texas School Rankings to spotlight academic excellence, support family decision-making, and drive...
From Harm to Hope: 2025 National Immigration Summit Highlights Pathways to Protection and Empowerment
The virtual gathering brought together national and state advocates, researchers, and community leaders for a timely conversation about how immigration policies are shaping children’s lives—and how advocacy can drive lasting change. On September 25, CHILDREN AT RISK,...
Two Years of Impact: Celebrating the Commitment and Progress of Harris County’s Early Learning Quality Network
OCTOBER 10, 2025 Written by Briauna Derry, Director of Media Activism, CHILDREN AT RISK Two years ago today, on October 10, 2023, Harris County Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity’s Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN) was launched with a clear mission: to...
CHILDREN AT RISK Public Statement: Children and Families Need Certainty, Not Chaos
Media Contacts: Morgan Gerri, 832.600.9354 Rashena Franklin, 713.301.4577 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 2025 CHILDREN AT RISK is deeply concerned that today’s government shutdown is putting children and families at risk. Essential programs that millions rely...
Seeds of Change: Recap of the 2025 Early Childhood Education Summit
This virtual gathering brought together legislators, policy experts, state leaders, advocates, and community stakeholders to reflect on recent wins for Texas children and chart the course for the work ahead. On August 14th, CHILDREN AT RISK gathered leaders,...
C@R Statement in Response to the Release of TEA’s 2025 Accountability Ratings
Media Contacts: Morgan Gerri, 832.600.9354 Rashena Franklin, 713.301.4577 IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 15, 2025 The 2025 TEA Accountability Ratings show what is possible when improvement is measured and made public. For the first time in years, Houston ISD has no...
ELQN July 2025 Newsletter
Harris County Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity's Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN)Subscribe to ELQN updates for the latest information on community initiatives, engagement opportunities, and mile markers. We’re excited to welcome Collaborative for...
C@R Releases Family Support Agenda
Amidst rollbacks of social support systems and mass policy change, many families report significant barriers keeping them from choosing to grow their family. Media Contacts:Morgan Gerri, 832.600.9354Rashena Franklin, 713.301.4577 TEXAS (AUG 5, 2025) - Birth rates in...
ELQN Announces Collaborative For Children As Vendor For Facility, Safety And Security
With seven community-driven initiatives now underway, Harris County’s Early Learning Quality Network has selected its final vendor, Collaborative for Children, to lead the implementation of its Facility, Safety and Security initiative. Media Contacts:Morgan Gerri,...
VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE ON WINS & MISSED OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN IN 89TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE
In-depth virtual summit to follow immediately, and a detailed report to be available July 11 at childrenatrisk.org. Media Contacts:Morgan Gerri, 832.600.9354Rashena Franklin, 713.301.4577 FEATURING Dr. Bob Sanborn, President & CEO, CHILDREN AT RISK Mandi...
ELQN June 2025 Newsletter
Harris County Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity's Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN) Empowering caregivers. Strengthening communities. Building early learning quality, together.Subscribe to ELQN updates for the latest information on community...