Texas advocates applaud federal efforts to stabilize families and empower economic prosperity for undocumented spouses and Dreamers.
Media Contact: Rashena Flagg, 713.301.4577
CHILDREN AT RISK convened with other advocates to celebrate the new federal, child-forward, executive orders on immigration while exploring the impact on Texas children and the state’s economy on June 28, 2024. Over 10% of all Texas children live in a mixed-status household, representing 22-51% of all families within Texas’ major metro areas.
On June 18, the Federal Administration released new orders centered on Parole in Place and revised guidance on the DACA D-3 Waiver Program, potentially restabilizing 304,4016 Texas families and bolstering economic mobility for over 66,368 non-citizen spouses of Texas citizens, who on average, have resided in the United States for 24 years.
Over half of this population (52%) care for at least one child in their household under the age of 18.These executive orders will foster economic well-being, promote healthy development, and boost academic performance by mitigating exposure to traumatic events during children’s key developmental stages. Most public-school educators (84%) have interacted with students who’ve expressed concern over immigration enforcement and 70% have seen a tangible decline in academic performance.
Across Texas, mixed-status families represent the following percentages in major metro areas:
These executive orders will foster economic well-being, promote healthy development, and boost academic performance by mitigating exposure to traumatic events during children’s key developmental stages. Most public-school educators (84%) have interacted with students who’ve expressed concern over immigration enforcement and 70% have seen a tangible decline in academic performance.
“This change represents a significant step forward to impede harm, keep families together, and inspire hope for so many children in our state,” said Linda Corchado, Senior Director of Immigration at CHILDREN AT RISK.
Press Conference Participants included Dr. Bob Sanborn, CHILDREN AT RISK, Linda Corchado, CHILDREN AT RISK, Juan Carlos Cerda, American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), Chiqui Sanchez Kennedy, Galveston-Houston Immigration Representation Project (GHIRP), Xavier Medellin, American Families United, Stephanie Medellin, American Families United, Diana Del Pilar, CHILDREN AT RISK
“We rejoice in this win for Texas families. When parents face deportation, long-standing research shows that children endure toxic stress that could have the devastating impact of altering their brain development. There is no doubt that our outdated immigration laws are having real, negative impacts on children in school and in their daily lives.”
Our vision is for the state of Texas to offer a welcoming environment for immigrants and refugees where immigrant children can easily integrate and access the resources they need to learn, thrive, and succeed. While the diversity of the immigrant community enriches our state, it also adds complexity to the strategies needed to address their varied needs.
Media Contact: Rashena Flagg, 713.301.4577
Two years since Texas leadership announced the state would transport migrants who had been released from federal custody to other states, Texas has transported over 102,000 migrants to New York, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. These cities, traditionally known to be immigrant-friendly have strained to meet the need of migrants coming to their cities but have nevertheless, heeded the call to welcome and support immigrant children in their cities.
CHILDREN AT RISK, a leading Texas nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families, gathered to raise awareness with key national partners including Children Now, the Colorado Children’s Campaign, Citizens Committee for Children and Children’s Advocates for Change about the harmful influence of Texas policies on other states and the impact these policies have on the mental health of immigrant children. These organizations are uniting to stand together in support of immigrant families and highlight specific supports that are necessary to counteract harmful impacts on immigrant families during this unprecedented time.
“Let’s be clear, the unilateral displacement of children and families across the U.S. is destructive to children’s lives,” said Dr. Bob Sanborn, President & CEO at CHILDREN AT RISK. “Children should not be caught in the political crossfires of a national debate.”
“The well-being of all children, and certainly those experiencing the trauma and insecurity caused by migration, should always be our central and collective concern. Migrant children need stability and support, not made to suffer by political cruelty.” Ted Lempert, President, Children Now.
Press conference participants included Dr. Bob Sanborn, President & CEO, CHILDREN AT RISK (C@R); Linda Corchado, Director of Immigration, C@R; Ted Lempert, President, Children Now; Dr. Tasha Green Cruzat, President, Children’s Advocates for Change; Heather Tritten, President & CEO, Colorado Children’s Campaign; Beatriz Zavala, Clinical Coordinator, Humanitarian Outreach for Migrant Emotional Health (H.O.M.E.); Dr. Benard Dreyer, Professor of Pediatrics, Director of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Bellevue Hospital Center .
“We cannot risk scarring children for life by using them as pawns in a political dispute over immigration, especially considering many have already been traumatized by their journey to the United States.” Dr. Tasha Green Cruzat, President, Children’s Advocates for Change.
“The Colorado Children’s Campaign is committed to creating every chance for every child, and we welcome the thousands of new Coloradans who have recently arrived in our state. We are grateful to community members and policy leaders who have worked together to support newcomers,” said Heather Tritten, President and CEO of the Colorado Children’s Campaign. “But the arrival of children and their families has too often been marked by chaos and lack of communication, which creates unnecessary additional mental and physical stresses for young children and their families. We must invest in resources, better coordination, and thoughtful policies that support the health, well-being, and economic stability of children and families at such a vulnerable moment in their lives.”
“Arriving families have already survived life-threatening trauma and are deeply vulnerable,” said Jenifer Wolf-Williams, Ed.D., executive director of Humanitarian Outreach for Migrant Emotional Health (H.O.M.E.). “Yet rather than offering protection, the bussing system imposed by the Abbott administration takes advantage of these families’ vulnerability, adds to their layers of distress, and compounds the psychological damage for affected children. H.O.M.E. is working to ensure that immigrant children and their families can remain in a safe, stable environment in which they have a chance to heal. We strongly oppose the traumatic coercion, misinformation, and lack of safety imposed by the bussing programs.”
“NYC has provided services to more than 180,000 asylum seekers since the spring of 2022,” said Dr. Benard P. Dreyer, Director of Pediatrics NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H) Bellevue. “Thousands arrive in difficult situations, including families with young children and pregnant people who arrive unannounced on buses from the southern border. Many are unprepared to find themselves here in NYC. They are often recovering from the trauma of thousands of miles of walking through dangerous jungles and have illnesses, are malnourished, confused and frightened. One young boy arrived by chartered bus from Texas after having his anti-epileptic medicine seized at the border by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. Deprived of his medication, he suffered a near-fatal seizure just moments after he arrived in NYC’s Port Authority. Another child with diabetes didn’t have access to insulin because there wasn’t refrigeration on the long bus trip and came to us with severe diabetic ketoacidosis (a life-threatening condition). Frequently people arrive in NYC late in their pregnancies after not having basic obstetric care at the border or during the transnational bus ride to NYC.”
The busing of migrant families from Texas comes under the Operation Lone Star (OLS) border initiative. Texas has transported over 12,500 migrants to D.C. since April 2022, over 37,900 to New York City, 31,500 to Chicago, 16,300 to Denver and 1,500 to Los Angeles. As of January, the state has spent over $148 million to bus migrants, a cost that grows each day.
Our partners have identified several key concerns regarding the impact on Operation Lone Star as it displaces families and strains local support systems and networks.
Our vision is for the state of Texas to offer a welcoming environment forimmigrants and refugees where immigrant children can easily integrate andaccess the resources they need to learn, thrive, and succeed. While the diversityof the immigrant community enriches our state, it also adds complexity to thestrategies needed to address their varied needs.
Harris County Commissioners Court Boosts Early Learning Initiatives with Child Care Quality Improvement Grants
The Harris County Early Learning Quality Networks Grants Empower Local Organizations to Amplify Their Voice in Education.
(Harris County – October 19, 2023) – Early childhood plays a crucial role in the development of young minds, setting the foundation for future success. Harris County Commissioners Court has awarded five organizations a combined total of $18.8 million to improve child care quality over the next three years via the Early Learning Quality Networks (ELQN) initiative. CHILDREN AT RISK will serve as the Network Support Hub (NSH) coordinating the program. East Harris County Empowerment Council, VN Teamwork, YMCA of Greater Houston, and the Harris County Public Library will serve as Local Network Organizations (LNOs) bringing together child care providers in five neighborhoods. Funding for this program has been made possible through the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
“The Early Learning Quality Networks program is a significant step toward ensuring that every child in Harris County, regardless of their zip code, has access to quality early education. This program will focus on our highest-need neighborhoods and bring families together with providers to collaborate on needed support for early childhood education. I join my colleagues in affirming our unwavering commitment to the future of our children and the betterment of our entire community,” stated Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Commissioner Precinct 1.
“I am proud to see these investments being made across Harris County. In Precinct 2, there is an extreme need for access to child care. Our creative approach will serve our youngest residents in their most formative years, creating a foundation for a lifetime of learning. Investing in child care is not just an act of compassion; it is a strategic imperative that helps us create a brighter and more promising tomorrow for all,” said Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia.
“As a mom and as a former public school teacher, I know high-quality child care is the foundation for a lifetime of success,” said Precinct 4 Commissioner Briones. “Precinct 4 has many Vietnamese-speaking home-based daycare providers who often lack access and support to grow and improve their programs. The Early Learning Quality Network grants will allow community-based nonprofits like VN TeamWork, based in Alief, to work with those and other Precinct 4 child care providers, and ensure all children can thrive.”
The Early Learning Quality Networks program is overseen by Harris County’s Early Childhood Initiatives Team and aims to improve child care quality through collaborative engagement of child care providers and local communities. This program will empower our neighborhoods to shape and enhance early childhood across Harris County.
NETWORK SUPPORT HUB
As the Network Support Hub, CHILDREN AT RISK will be responsible for facilitating ongoing Communities of Practice and providing individualized support for the Local Network Organizations. This technical assistance will ensure that each LNO has the necessary tools to develop child care quality improvement plans within their respective communities. CHILDREN AT RISK will then administer the Early Learning Quality Network fund, supporting initiatives identified in each local plan. By strategically allocating these funds, the program aims to foster an environment where every child has access to high-quality early childhood.
“We are honored to be selected as the Network Support Hub for the Early Learning Quality Network for Harris County, and we applaud the County’s leadership in this effort. CHILDREN AT RISK’s research shows quality early childhood education and strong public schools are critical components to break the cycle of poverty, and we look forward to working with partners who are just as passionate about creating accessible, high-quality education for every child as we are. Together, we can build a stronger Texas where every child has the opportunity to thrive through the transformative power of education,” said Dr. Bob Sanborn, President and CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK.
LOCAL NETWORK ORGANIZATIONS
The Local Network Organizations will be on the front lines of community engagement, convening local stakeholders to assess the state of child care quality in their neighborhoods and develop a child care quality action plan tailored to the needs of each community. Each LNO will focus on neighborhoods classified as a high quality child care desert.
Harris County Public Library will lead two LNOs, one serving the Sunnyside area in Precinct 1 and another serving the Klein area in Precinct 3.
YMCA of Greater Houston will serve Aldine, Aldine Southeast, and Northline in Precinct 2.
East Harris County Empowerment Council will serve the communities of North Shore, Jacinto City, and Galena Park in Precinct 2.
VN Teamwork will serve the neighborhoods of Alief, Sharpstown, Gulfton, Braeburn, and Westwood in Precinct 4.
“On behalf of VN TeamWork, I would like to sincerely thank Harris County for giving us this wonderful opportunity to become an Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN) partner. Through our work with the community and by bringing child care providers, families, and other community stakeholders together, we hope to improve early learning and child care in our diverse focal communities. We are extremely excited to get started on this early childhood initiative, and we know that the community will be very grateful to receive the help that they need,” shared Mike C. Nguyen, Executive Director, VN TeamWork.
“Early childhood education plays a crucial role in a child’s development,” said Avice Chambers, Senior Vice President of Youth Development of YMCA of Greater Houston. “At the YMCA we believe every child should have access to high-quality early care opportunities. We are excited to partner with Harris County to focus on quality improvement initiatives to ensure that all childcare programs are setting the foundation for success for all children in our community.”
“East Harris County Empowerment Council believes that every community member deserves access to high-quality early learning and care services. We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Harris County’s Early Learning Quality Networks program. By valuing community input and placing a strong emphasis on inclusivity, we aim to elevate early learning services, ensuring top-tier care for East Harris County’s children,” said Terence Narcisse, CEO and Founder, East Harris County Empowerment Council.
“As a trusted community partner, Harris County Public Library is honored to serve as a Local Network Organization in the Early Learning Quality Network, said Edward Melton, Harris County Public Library Executive Director. “This is not just an investment in education; it’s an investment in the future of our children. By joining this network, we are shaping the foundation upon which the aspirations of early learning in Harris County will be built.”
CHILD CARE COMMITMENTS
The Early Learning Quality Networks initiative builds upon other Harris County early childhood investments including the Early REACH child care capacity expansion program, the Early Childhood Impact Fund supporting early childhood development, the County Connections summer enrichment program, and research efforts such as the RAPID Early Childhood Survey.
For more information about the Early Learning Quality Networks program, please contact Santrice Jones at Santrice.Jones@harriscountytx.gov / (713) 503-3732.
ABOUT
Harris County’s Early Childhood Initiatives Team: Through innovative initiatives and community-led programming, the HC ECI team works towards ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality early learning experience, setting them up for success now and beyond.
Harris County Public Library: Harris County Public Library’s mission is to enrich lives to strengthen communities. HCPL is a network of 27 community-focused branch libraries offering programs and services that foster literacy and lifelong learning. The library is committed to providing excellent customer service, strong collections, and cutting-edge information technology. For more information, visit hcpl.net/.
CHILDREN AT RISK: CHILDREN AT RISK is a research and advocacy nonprofit leading the way in improving the quality of life for Texas’ children. CHILDREN AT RISK considers the whole child by tracking issues in children’s health, safety, education, and economic security to improve equity and justice for all Texas families. Committed to action beyond the data, CHILDREN AT RISK drives evidence-based change by speaking out on behalf of children. For more information, visit childrenatrisk.org/.
East Harris County Empowerment Council: Established in 2008, the East Harris County Empowerment Council (EHCEC) is committed to improving quality of life through innovative, sustainable programs and services that empower men, women, and youth to achieve their full potential. Through a strong network of invested individuals, community partners, and caring corporations, EHCEC is dedicated to educational enrichment, economic development, and health and wellness of the eastern, unincorporated communities of the Harris County surrounding area. For more information, visit eastharriscounty.org/.
VN TeamWork: VN TeamWork is a nonprofit multi-service organization that provides a variety of social services, educational programs, and affordable housing to serve the diverse communities of Houston. The mission of VN TeamWork is to enhance the health, education, and social well-being of low-income and underserved people in the greater Houston area. For more information, visit vnteamwork.org/.
YMCA of Greater Houston: Founded in 1886, today, the Y remains committed to the health of more than half a million people who learn, grow, and thrive through programs and services at our locations across Greater Houston. Strengthening the community is our cause. Together, we connect active, engaged Greater Houston Area residents to build a better us. Learn more at ymcahouston.org/.
About the Office of County Administration: Established by Commissioners Court in June 2021, the Office of County Administration (OCA) is tasked with supervising day-to-day operations and implementing Commissioners Court’s priorities and policies for Harris County. For more information, visit oca.harriscountytx.gov.
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Across Texas, over 5.4 million students were offered free school meals through federal programs, such as the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. For many of these children, meals eaten at school are the only substantial meals they receive during the day. School districts are critical players in implementing school food programs – yet, some districts are doing better than others in providing breakfast, lunch, and after-school meals to students in need.
Each year, CHILDREN AT RISK recognizes the school districts in Texas that go above and beyond to provide nutrition to students and is excited to announce the top-performing school districts in the 2023 Kroger School Food Rankings. In previous years, determination was made based on the percentage of economically disadvantaged students receiving free or reduced meals. With the continuation of enhanced eligibility for federal food programs every Texas student was eligible for free meals during the 2021-2022 school year, and CHILDREN AT RISK instead looked at total student participation in the district.
CHILDREN AT RISK recognizes the great value these districts are providing to our students, their families, and our state’s academic and economic future. With the support of Kroger, we are excited to announce this year’s top-performing school districts.
All 5,429,895 students in Texas were offered free meals this year
The top 10 state rankings:
District scores were calculated as follows
We only include districts that have at least 1,000 students and at least 60% economically disadvantaged student population.
The top ranking districts all had over 64.2% of their student population participating in lunch
The top 5 large public school districts* in the 2023 Kroger Food Rankings are Aldine ISD, Houston ISD, Dallas ISD, Garland ISD, and Arlington ISD.
*Districts are considered large if they have at least 50,000 students. Public district here specifically means it is not a charter district.
The top 5 middle-income school districts* in the 2023 Kroger Food Rankings are Judson ISD, Wichita Falls ISD, New Caney ISD, East Central ISD, and Victoria ISD.
*Districts are considered middle-income if they have 60-70% economically disadvantaged student population. This takes out high poverty schools and focuses on those which often face more challenges in implementing school food programs to scale.
We know that access to quality, nutritious meals is critical for a child’s development. It’s hard to achieve in the classroom if your basic needs like having food or a safe place to sleep aren’t within reach. School Nutrition Departments are shown to play a key role in combating hunger and food insecurity, but too often they don’t get the ‘thanks’ that they deserve. With the 2023 Kroger School Food Rankings, we are excited to celebrate the best school nutrition departments that really go above and beyond. They’re the leaders we should look to as we combat child food insecurity in Texas.
Children at Risk’s Food Ranking methodology consists of measuring the participation rate of School Nutrition Programs (SNP) across districts. These districts are then assigned a score based on the participation rates for each program, which is weighted and aggregated. This year, meals allocated to schools through summer programs that were utilized during the school year because of the Pandemic were included in the analysis. The aggregate scores are ranked from highest to lowest to create the Food Rankings.
School Breakfast is weighted the highest in our analysis for various reasons: research suggests that providing The School Breakfast Program (SBP) can improve student attendance, increases their academic performance, and reduces discipline problems in the classroom. The struggle to obtain a nutritious breakfast particularly affects low-income households, but many families find that early morning schedules make it difficult to find time to prepare and eat a nutritious breakfast at home.
Children at Risk utilizes Texas Department of Agriculture data and Texas Education Agency data to generate the district scores and district rankings.
Across Texas, over 3.7 million students from low-income households qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through federal programs, such as the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. For many of these children, meals eaten at school are the only substantial meals they receive during the day. School districts are critical players in implementing school food programs – yet, some districts are doing better than others in providing breakfast, lunch, and after-school meals to students in need.
The 2022 Kroger School Food Rankings evaluate how districts across Texas provide meals to low-income area school children by focusing on meal participation rates and after-school meal programs offered in each district. Top-ranking districts across Texas report nearly 100% of low-income students as participants in school lunch and breakfast. CHILDREN AT RISK recognizes the great value these districts are providing to our students, their families, and our state’s academic and economic future. With the support of Kroger and Paso del Norte Health Foundation, we are excited to announce this year’s top-performing school districts.
The top 3 school districts (with at least 10,000 students and 60% economically disadvantaged) in the 2022 Kroger School Food Rankings are McAllen ISD, Brownsville ISD, and Waco ISD.
The top 3 large school districts (at least 50,000 students and 60% economically disadvantaged) in the Texas School Food Rankings are San Antonio ISD, Pasadena ISD, and Houston ISD.
Roughly half of school districts (over 10,000 students) implement the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) after-school meal program.
The strongest 10 districts had over 70% of eligible students participating in breakfast programs, while the weakest 10 districts – including several charter districts – had breakfast participation rates as low as 11-27%.
We know that access to quality, nutritious meals is critical for a child’s development. It’s hard to achieve in the classroom if your basic needs like having food or a safe place to sleep aren’t within reach. School Nutrition Departments are shown to play a key role in combating hunger and food insecurity, but too often they don’t get the ‘thanks’ that they deserve. With the 2022 Kroger School Food Rankings, we are excited to celebrate the best school nutrition departments that really go above and beyond. They’re the leaders we should look to as we combat child food insecurity in Texas.
Children at Risk’s Food Ranking methodology consists of measuring the participation rate of School Nutrition Programs (SNP) across districts. These districts are then assigned a score based on the participation rates for each program, which is weighted and aggregated. This year, meals allocated to schools through summer programs that were utilized during the school year because of the Pandemic were included in the analysis. The aggregate scores are ranked from highest to lowest to create the Food Rankings.
School Breakfast is weighted the highest in our analysis for various reasons: research suggests that providing The School Breakfast Program (SBP) can improve student attendance, increases their academic performance, and reduces discipline problems in the classroom. The struggle to obtain a nutritious breakfast particularly affects low-income households, but many families find that early morning schedules make it difficult to find time to prepare and eat a nutritious breakfast at home.
Children at Risk utilizes Texas Department of Agriculture data and Texas Education Agency data to generate the district scores and district rankings.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On Feb. 22 the state of Texas issued a non-binding opinion declaring pediatric gender-affirming care to be criminal child abuse. This was followed by a directive to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to classify gender-affirming care for transgender children as child abuse and investigate parents accordingly. Mandatory reporters – including trusted partners like doctors, nurses, and teachers – could face criminal penalties for failure to report any knowledge of a child receiving gender-affirming care.
Data shows that gender-affirming practices for transgender youth improve mental health outcomes and school attendance. This is particularly valuable given that transgender youth are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety; attempt suicide; and engage in self-harming activities compared to their school-aged peers. Lack of acceptance from key support networks, such as their family and community, put transgender youth at a heightened risk of experiencing homelessness or trafficking. The State of Texas has decided to further discriminate against and punish transgender children and their families through this order, regardless of the negative impact on children.
Gender-affirming care can be complex and addresses both mental and physical health. It is individualized care intended to support patients physically, socially, and emotionally which often includes working with counselors and family members. Major medical associations including the American Psychiatric Association and the American Medical Association have called gender-affirming care medically necessary care in very specific circumstances. Denying evidence-based standard of care that addresses these complexities prevents our physicians from determining what is best for patients and directly interferes with the parent/child relationship. No parent should fear government intervention in the most personal details of their family’s life. No child should live in fear.
CHILDREN AT RISK is committed to protecting all children. It is our commitment to protect all Texas children that brings us together and guides every facet of our work. We encourage our leaders to use this opportunity to find a safe and equitable resolution that is in the best interest of our children.
For Children!
Dr. Bob Sanborn
President & CEO
For LGBTQ mental health support, call the Trevor Project’s 24/7 toll-free support line at 866-488-7386. You can also reach a trained crisis counselor through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 800-273-8255 or texting 741741.
Media Contact:
Rashena Flagg
713.301.4577