Growing Up
BLOG POSTS, PRESS RELEASES, & ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CHILDREN AT RISKC@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...
Virtual Press Conference: CHILDREN AT RISK and Community Leaders on the Future of the Child Tax Credit
C@R and researchers, family policy experts, and community leaders will hold a press conference urging Congress to ensure that any revisions to the Child Tax Credit (CTC) maintain its proven support for working families. Media Contacts:Morgan Gerri,...
June 2025 Newsletter | The Children’s Immigration Network
The Children's Immigration Network is CHILDREN AT RISK's effort to focus on children of immigrants. Our vision is for the state of Texas to offer a welcoming environment for immigrants and refugees where children of immigrants can integrate and access the resources...
The Chutes & Ladders of Learning: C@R’s Annual Education Summit Recap
On Friday, June 6, CHILDREN AT RISK hosted the 2025 Education Summit: The Chutes and Ladders of Learning, bringing together educators, leaders, and advocates to examine the opportunities and challenges shaping Texas education. On Friday, June 6, CHILDREN AT RISK...
ELQN May 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...
State Senator César J. Blanco Passes Bill to Help Young Adults inWest Texas Get Back to School and Work
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Taylor Sanchez Taylor.sanchez@senate.texas.gov Austin, Texas – The Texas Senate has passed Senate Bill 1143, authored by Senator César J. Blanco, to help reconnect young adults in West Texas with education, job training, and career...
2024 Annual Report
Dear Friends and Advocates, At CHILDREN AT RISK, we believe that every child deserves a fair shot at success—and we know that it takes all of us to make that happen. Whether you’re a policymaker, educator, donor, volunteer, or advocate, your partnership has helped...
Connecting Across the Lone Star State: Reflections from CHILDREN AT RISK’s Spring 2025 Texas Tour
This spring, CHILDREN AT RISK’s early childhood team had the incredible opportunity to connect with our early learning family across Texas! While virtual tours may not physically transport us to the stunning beauty of an East Texas wildflower patch or the vibrant hues...
Strengthening Quality Early Learning Environments in Harris County: ELQN’s Progress and Next Steps
May 9, 2025 Written by CHILDREN AT RISK team members Briauna Derry, Director of Media Activism; Martha Gonzales, Associate Director of ELQN; Erika Alcala, Project Coordinator Launched in October 2023, Harris County’s Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN) has made...
CHILDREN AT RISK Condemns Unlawful Deportation of U.S. Citizen Children
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CHILDREN AT RISK Condemns Unlawful Deportation of U.S. Citizen Children and Urges Immediate Federal Action Houston, TX — CHILDREN AT RISK, a non-partisan research and advocacy nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for children,...
Partners Advocate to Fund Child Care in the 89th Texas Legislative Session
Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TXAEYC) and CHILDREN AT RISK partnered to present a legislative briefing and rally that urged lawmakers to #FundChildCare in the 89th Legislative Session. On March 6, 2025, state leaders, child care advocates, and...
Advocating in Support of SB 570 & SB 991
Mandi Kimball, Chief Government Affairs Officer with CHILDREN AT RISK, testifies in support of SB 570 & SB 991 during the March 25, 2025 hearing of the Texas Senate Committee on Education K-16. My name is Mandi Kimball, Vice President of Children at Risk, and I am...