HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (Oct. 13) — A $16.4 million investment in early learning and child care has helped Harris County families, caregivers, and providers turn community priorities into practical support for young children. Over the past three years, Harris County’s Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN) has provided training to an estimated 2,114 caregivers and supported an estimated 13,994 children, connecting communities and strengthening early learning environments in neighborhoods where child care options are limited.

“We set out to reach 2,500 kids through ELQN. Three years later, we reached nearly 14,000,” said Dr. Bob Sanborn, President & CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK. “That happened because families and providers told us what their neighborhoods needed, and we listened. Now it’s time to build on the relationships that gave so many children in Harris County a stronger start, and keep this momentum going as the pilot comes to an end.”

On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 10:00 AM CT, CHILDREN AT RISK, ELQN’s Network Support Hub, gathered project leaders and participating families and providers for a closing press conference celebrating these accomplishments. Speakers shared the pilots final results, described its impact on their communities, and discussed how partners can sustain and build on the work beyond the project.

Launched in 2023 with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding awarded by Harris County Commissioners Court, ELQN put families and providers at the center of decisions about what their communities needed. Harris County’s Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity oversaw ELQN through its Early Childhood Initiatives Division, working alongside CHILDREN AT RISK and four Local Network Organizations (LNOs): East Harris County Empowerment Council, VN TeamWork, YMCA of Greater Houston, and Harris County Public Library. The Local Network Organizations engaged five focal communities identified as Child Care Deserts, collaborating with key stakeholders to create community action plans and connecting community members with needed resources.

The community action plans directly informed seven early learning initiatives that began rolling out in spring 2025. Together, these efforts supported provider training, facility safety improvements, early learning kits, curriculum resources, technology for households and child care centers, and emergency and temporary care. Each initiative addressed needs identified by the families and providers who know their communities best.

Quality initiatives, implementation partners, and key outcomes are included below. As closeout for each initiative is ongoing, some reported metrics may shift a small amount. Please contact CHILDREN AT RISK for questions related to the data verification process.

Training & Professional Development by Rupani Foundation USA

• Zip Codes Served: 77009, 77015, 77021, 77022, 77027, 77029, 77032, 77033, 77036, 77037, 77039, 77044, 77047, 77048, 77049, 77051, 77056, 77057, 77060, 77072, 77074, 77076, 77081, 77091, 77099, 77379, 77530
• Total caregivers participating in quality initiative: 1,600
• Total children impacted: Estimated 8,000
• Number of child care organizations supported: 146
• Number of Providers Trained: 600
• Number of Mentoring and Coaching sessions completed: 750
• Number of parents/informal caregivers trained: 1,000

Facility, Safety, and Security by Collaborative for Children

• Zip Codes Served: 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
• Total caregivers participating in quality initiative: 40
• Total children impacted: 2,134

Early Learning Kits & Materials by National Literacy Institute:

• Zip Codes Served: 77379
• Total caregivers participating in quality initiative: 115
• Total children impacted: 214

Curriculum Development & Implementation by Frog Street:

• Zip Codes Served: 77379
• Total caregivers participating in quality initiative: 204
• Total children impacted: 1,608

Technology for Households by Easter Seals of Greater Houston:

• Zip Codes Served: 77021, 77033, 77047, 77051, 77048, 77009, 77022, 77032, 77037, 77039, 77060, 77076, 77091
• Total caregivers participating in quality initiative: 95
• Total children impacted: 158

Emergency & Temporary Care by Work Texas! and Neighborhood Schools:

• Zip Codes Served: 77009, 77015, 77022, 77027, 77029, 77032, 77036, 77037, 77039, 77044, 77049, 77056, 77057, 77060, 77072, 77074, 77076, 77081, 77091, 77099, 77379, 77530
• Total caregivers participating in quality initiative: 37
• Total children impacted: 427

Technology for Child Care Centers by Collaborative for Children:

• Zip Codes Served: 77021, 77033, 77047, 77051, 77048, 77009, 77022, 77032, 77037, 77039, 77060, 77076, 77091
• Total caregivers participating in quality initiative: 25
• Total children impacted: 1,648

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About Harris County’s Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN)

Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN) is a Harris County initiative dedicated to raising quality in early childhood education, fostering educator excellence, and promoting equitable access to quality early care and education for all young children. ELQN collaborates closely with the community to ensure every child has access to a strong educational foundation.

 About 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, Facebook, and X. 

About Harris County’s Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity

Established by the Harris County Commissioners Court in 2021, the Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity’s (DEEO) mission is to connect, value, and empower people, businesses, and communities. The Early Childhood Initiatives division of the department works towards ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality early learning experience, setting them up for success now and beyond.  For more information, please visit https://deeo.harriscountytx.gov/Early-Childhood-Initiatives.

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/.

VN TeamWork, Inc.

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/.