August 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.
Spotlight on Informal Caregivers
Many ELQN initiatives are designed to support informal caregivers—but what does that actually mean?
Informal caregivers are trusted individuals—like grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, or neighbors—who care for young children (ages 0–8) regularly, but are not the child’s parent or legal guardian. If someone provides care for at least 10 hours a week and isn’t part of a licensed child care program, they may be considered an informal caregiver.
These caregivers play a vital role in their communities, and some ELQN initiatives are specifically built to support their unique needs with resources, training, and materials.
Open Applications: ELQN Initiatives
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 August 30th. Apply today!
Early Learning Kits & Materials | National Literacy Institute
Provides developmentally appropriate learning materials to families with young children and providers of informal child care.
Eligible zip codes: 77379
Applications are open through August 30th. Apply today!
Technology for Households | Easter Seals of Greater Houston
Provides qualifying households with developmentally appropriate technological learning tools and training related to the use of technology with young children.
Eligible zip codes: 77021, 77033, 77047, 77051, 77048, 77009, 77022, 77032, 77037, 77039, 77060, 77076, 77091
Applications are open through August 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 September 15th. Apply today!
Emergency & Temporary Care | Neighborhood Schools & Work Texas!
Supports child care providers in serving families with children aged 0–8 who are facing financial hardships, emergencies, or are on the TWC waitlist by providing funding for child care and ensuring quick, easy access to support for the families they serve.
Eligible zip codes: 77009, 77015, 77022, 77027, 77029, 77032, 77036, 77037, 77039, 77044, 77049, 77056, 77057, 77060, 77072, 77074, 77076, 77081, 77091, 77099, 77379, 77530
Applications are open through August 22nd. Apply today!
Technology for Child Care | Collaborative for Children
Equips child care providers with technological tools and resources to enhance early childhood development and streamline business operations, including digital learning applications, childcare management software, and Wi-Fi upgrades.
Eligible zip codes: 77021, 77033, 77047, 77051, 77048, 77009, 77022, 77032, 77037, 77039, 77060, 77076, 77091
Applications are open through October 2025. Apply today!
ELQN Applications Opening Soon
One additional ELQN initiative will be launching applications soon to support child care providers across Harris County.
Stay tuned for application details and eligibility by zip code!
Facility, Safety & Security
Provides developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor materials and equipment, addressing and improving the safety and security of facilities.
Upcoming ELQN Events
Throughout August, ELQN partners largely focused on outreach to focal communities and supporting applications and enrollment for available initiatives.
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.
ELQN ELQN Vendor Spotlights
Easter Seals of Greater Houston: Technology for Households
The first Technology for Households workshop took place in Precinct 2 the last week of August, with 10 Early Learning Technology Kits being distributed. Easter Seals of Greater Houston was excited to meet with the parents and caregivers to share apps & settings that support their children’s learning and development. Recruiting efforts are ongoing in Precinct 1, with Easter Seals Greater Houston staff having attended the Back to School Bash at the Rock Christian Center on August 9th as well as the Open House at Hartsfield Elementary School on the 27th.
– Easter Seals of Greater Houston
Rupani Foundation USA: Training & Professional Development
This month, we’re celebrating a milestone that truly showcases the power of community-driven early childhood development. Under our ELQN project, we successfully trained 96 informal caregivers, equipping them with essential skills that are already transforming how families approach learning at home.
Our training focused on four key areas that make the biggest difference: holistic child development, creative use of low and no-cost materials, the magic of storytelling and book reading, and establishing dedicated learning corners within homes. But we didn’t stop at training – we followed through with 44 home visits to see these skills in action and provide personalized support where it mattered most.
The pure joy we witnessed when distributing 44 learning material boxes to families. The excitement and gratitude from mothers and caregivers were overwhelming and reminded us why this work is so vital. One mother shared how her child now eagerly waits for “story time” each evening.
What excites us most about next month is seeing how these newly empowered caregivers continue to innovate and adapt the techniques to their unique family situations. We’re already hearing stories of siblings teaching each other, grandparents getting involved in creating learning materials, and neighbors sharing resources.
These 96 trained caregivers are now advocates and teachers in their own right, creating ripple effects that will benefit countless children beyond our direct reach.
The real success is in the transformed homes where learning has become a joyful, everyday experience.
– Rupani Foundation USA
Explore Other ELQN Newsletters
Stay Connected
Subscribe to ELQN updates for the latest information on community initiatives, engagement opportunities, and mile markers.