ELQN PARTNERS CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION

YMCA OF GREATER HOUSTON HOSTS TOWN HALL

Media Contact: Rashena Franklin, 713.301.4577

On August 12, the YMCA of Greater Houston, in partnership with Harris County and CHILDREN AT RISK, hosted an Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN) Townhall that gathered child care providers (home-based, center based, and family friend and neighbor care), families with young children, and community leaders for a discussion centered on the future of quality early learning and care in their community. The event featured an address from Commissioner Adrian Garcia, who emphasized the critical importance of investing in our youngest learners.

The Townhall served as a platform to further advance ELQN’s mission to improve the quality of early childhood education. Attendees engaged in meaningful discussions about the strategies and initiatives that will help ELQN collectively achieve this goal. A significant focus of the conversation was the Advisory Committee’s proposed plans for allocating funds to support and enhance early learning opportunities across the community.

Commissioner Garcia’s remarks underscored the importance of collaboration and community involvement in driving these efforts forward. His support reaffirms ELQN’s commitment to ensuring that every child has access to high-quality early learning experiences across Harris County.

As our teams continue working together to meet these goals, the insights and feedback gathered during community events like YMCA of Greater Houston’s Townhall will play a crucial role in shaping the network’s next steps. We are grateful to everyone who participated in this important conversation and look forward to continuing our work together to build a brighter future for all children in the Houston area.

Harris County’s Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN) is a community-centered initiative dedicated to improving early learning and child care quality throughout Houston proper. By working hand-in-hand with providers, families, and local stakeholders, ELQN focuses on enhancing early education through tailored quality improvement strategies that leverage the strengths of each community to meet their unique needs. Backed by the Harris County Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity, ELQN strives to unite communities in a collaborative effort to foster lasting improvements in early childhood education throughout the county.