December 2025 Newsletter
Harris County Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity’s
Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN)
In Partnership With
Stay Connected
Subscribe to ELQN updates for the latest information on community initiatives, engagement opportunities, and mile markers.
ELQN's December Community of Practice: Fostering Resiliency and Positivity
National speaker Alex Sheen, from the organization because I said I would, joined ELQN partners as a guest speaker at their December Community of Practice (COP).
Leading a half-day session with ELQN’s Local Network Organizations, CHILDREN AT RISK and Harris County Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity’s staff members, this special conversation focused on positivity, resilience, and perseverance. Following a group lunch, ELQN partners participated in a group reflection and workshop based on Alex’s inspiring presentation.
LNO Spotlight: YMCA of Greater Houston Hosts Community Conversation
YMCA of Greater Houston, hosted an ELQN Community Conversation featuring Texas Representative Armando Walle (District 140). He spoke with Aldine-area community members about the importance of high-quality early learning environments – When parents know their children are in a safe, quality program, they can be more productive members of our workforce. Thank you to Rep. Walle for being a champion for children, families, and the entire community!
BUILD-ing a National Network that Uplifts Home-Based Child Care Providers
CHILDREN AT RISK’s ELQN team members attended the BUILD Conference, convening designed to encourage community-building while strengthening child care systems. Our staff learned about emerging trends shaping early learning environments across the United States. Notable takeaways included an exploration into how states are managing Quality Rating Systems by moving away from a leveled approach and focusing on growth. They also had the opportunity to learn about supporting and uplifting home-based child care providers across the nation. This is an exciting step in building a network across states and systems for this population!
ELQN Vendor Spotlights
Curriculum Development & Implementation Services by Frog Street
December Holiday Magic Brings Learning & Community Together in 77379
December was filled with warmth, excitement, and community connection at the Harris County Public Library, where families from the 77379 zip code turned out in droves for festive holiday events. As part of the celebrations, families eagerly retrieved gift cards just in time for the holidays, adding a welcome boost to their seasonal preparations. While visiting the library, many families also stopped by the Frog Street booth to register for high-quality instructional resources designed to support learning at home and help strengthen their children’s developmental skills.
The holiday fun continued with a special Friday movie night to kick off Christmas break. Families gathered for a cozy evening of entertainment, laughter, and togetherness, creating a joyful start to the holiday season. Once again, the Frog Street booth was a popular stop, with parents and caregivers taking the opportunity to apply for free Frog Street At-Home Learning Kits. These resources empower families to continue meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom, using engaging, age-appropriate activities at home.
Together, these December events showcased the power of community partnerships, bringing families, learning, and holiday cheer together under one roof. The Harris County Public Library and Frog Street were proud to support families in 77379 by combining festive fun with valuable educational opportunities that will continue to make an impact well into the new year and for years to come.
Training & Professional Development by Rupani Foundation USA
Empowering Caregivers: Groups 29-35 Training Success
We are thrilled to share the remarkable outcomes of our recent training series, spanning Groups 29 through 35, which successfully engaged 181 informal caregivers across multiple community partnerships. In collaboration with YMCA, Groups 29, 31, and 34 brought together 69 caregivers (33, 17, and 19 respectively), while our partnership with HCPL engaged 81 caregivers across Groups 30, 33, and 35 (24 with HCPL 3, 39 with HCPL 1, and 18 with HCPL 3), and Group 32 reached 31 caregivers through our collaboration with EHCEC. Each session focused on strengthening home-based learning environments by promoting parents’ active involvement in their children’s learning and encouraging the creation of dedicated learning corners at home, with emphasis on designing safe, stimulating spaces where children can move freely and explore with confidence. Participants explored practical, hands-on strategies to engage children in meaningful activities, strengthen emotional connections, and foster nurturing, play-rich environments, while the training highlighted storytelling as a powerful tool to spark imagination and enhance communication skills. Discussions reinforced the importance of supporting all domains of child development—physical, cognitive, emotional, and social—and heartfelt appreciation is extended to our dedicated team for their continued commitment and outstanding efforts throughout this impactful training series.
Open Applications: ELQN Initiatives
Please be mindful that application windows vary not only by initiative, but also by zip code! Some initiatives are still accepting applications only in specific services areas. To confirm availability, please speak with your Local Network Organization or the vendor directly before trying to apply.
Facility, Safety & Security | Collaborative for Children
Supports facility improvements and enhances safety by providing developmentally appropriate indoor & outdoor materials and equipment, along with targeted upgrades that promote the security and well-being of children and staff in eligible child care programs.
Eligible Zip Codes: 77015, 77029, 77044, 77049, 77530, 77532, 77547, 77021, 77033, 77047, 77051, 77048, 77379, 77027, 77036, 77056, 77057, 77072, 77074, 77081, 77099, 77009, 77022, 77032, 77037, 77039, 77060, 77076, 77091
Training & Professional Development | Rupani Foundation
Provides training and coaching to enhance the skills and knowledge of child care providers of eligible centers and community members.
Eligible zip codes: 77009, 77015, 77021, 77022, 77027, 77029, 77032, 77033, 77036, 77037, 77039, 77044, 77047, 77048, 77049, 77051, 77056, 77057, 77060, 7072, 77074, 77076, 77081, 77091, 77099, 77379, 77530
Applications are open through November 30th. Apply today!
Curriculum Development & Implementation | Frog Street
Equips families and informal caregivers with digital learning tools, age-appropriate devices, and training to support children’s early development and safe technology use.
Eligible zip codes: 77379
Applications are open through November 30th. Apply today!
Upcoming ELQN Events
Throughout October, ELQN partners largely focused on outreach to focal communities and supporting applications and enrollment for available initiatives. LNOs also started distributing mid-point surveys to gather feedback regarding the network and initiatives up to this point.
If you’re interested in participating in any upcoming or active initiatives, be sure to check out our public calendar and reach out to your local LNO, attend an ELQN event in your neighborhood, or explore the initiative vendor events featured on ELQN’s homepage for more information.
Explore Other ELQN Newsletters
Stay Connected
Subscribe to ELQN updates for the latest information on community initiatives, engagement opportunities, and mile markers.