Amarillo Spring Virtual Texas Tour 2024
2024-04-18 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Zoom
Each Spring, the CHILDREN AT RISK Early Childhood Education team host community roundtables in 12 major cities across Texas. During the roundtables, C@R will share new data and analysis regarding the ECE landscape, including child care deserts, as well as provide an update on the Prenatal-to-3 Collaborative. We look forward to these conversations as they provide a vital opportunity for participants to share what they’ve been experiencing in their community. Together, the data analysis and these community conversations will better inform C@R’s upcoming policy agenda for the 89th Legislative Session in 2025, striving to improve our early childhood education system for Texas children.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, April 18, 2024 from 10:00-11:00am (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Jacob at jwestjohn@childrenatrisk.org

REGISTER

2024 Equity Tour- Ft. Worth
2024-04-22 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | United Way, 201 N Rupert Street, Suite 107, Ft. Worth, TX, 76107, United States
The Texas Equity Tour, slated for March-April 2024, is a pivotal event organized by CHILDREN AT RISK (C@R) to address systemic racism and its impact on Texas children and families. Rooted in the principles of racial equity, the tour serves as a platform to present key findings from the Texas Racial Equity Collaborative’s (TREC) comprehensive report, “State of Inequity: Dreams Deferred,” released in 2023.
The tour aims to engage stakeholders, including elected officials, media, and community partners across Texas. Through the regional stop in North Texas-Ft. Worth, the tour will facilitate a press conference, presentation, and group discussions tailored to the focus on basic needs, early childhood nutrition, health components and other systemic obstacles faced by communities of color.
The tour’s overarching goal is to foster dialogue, gather community feedback, and spotlight effective programs and partnerships combating racial inequities. By amplifying voices and experiences, the event seeks to inform future research, education, and advocacy efforts championed by C@R and TREC.
At its core, the Texas Equity Tour represents a concerted effort to dismantle systemic racism and dismantle barriers to success for Texas children, young adults, and families. By confronting uncomfortable truths and fostering collaboration, the tour aims to ignite meaningful change, advancing racial equity and promoting a more just and inclusive society.
This event is presented by CHILDREN AT RISK in partnership with the Texas Family Leadership Council (TXFLC), the Texas Racial Equity Collaborative (TREC), and United Way of Tarrant County.

Press Conference: 10:00am-10:30am
Equity Tour: 10:30am-12:00pm

Join CHILDREN AT RISK from 10am-12:00pm (CT) for a critical local discussion surrounding Equity in Ft. Worth!

or questions or concerns, please reach out to learning@childrenatrisk.org or awatts@childrenatrisk.org .

REGISTER

Brownsville Spring Texas Tour 2024
2024-04-23 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Zoom
Each Spring, the CHILDREN AT RISK Early Childhood Education team host community roundtables in 12 major cities across Texas. During the roundtables, C@R will share new data and analysis regarding the ECE landscape, including child care deserts, as well as provide an update on the Prenatal-to-3 Collaborative. We look forward to these conversations as they provide a vital opportunity for participants to share what they’ve been experiencing in their community. Together, the data analysis and these community conversations will better inform C@R’s upcoming policy agenda for the 89th Legislative Session in 2025, striving to improve our early childhood education system for Texas children.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, April 23, 2024 from 10:00-11:00am (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Jacob at jwestjohn@childrenatrisk.org

REGISTER

McAllen Spring Virtual Texas Tour 2024
2024-04-23 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | Zoom
Each Spring, the CHILDREN AT RISK Early Childhood Education team host community roundtables in 12 major cities across Texas. During the roundtables, C@R will share new data and analysis regarding the ECE landscape, including child care deserts, as well as provide an update on the Prenatal-to-3 Collaborative. We look forward to these conversations as they provide a vital opportunity for participants to share what they’ve been experiencing in their community. Together, the data analysis and these community conversations will better inform C@R’s upcoming policy agenda for the 89th Legislative Session in 2025, striving to improve our early childhood education system for Texas children.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, April 23, 2024 from 1:00-2:00pm (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Jacob at jwestjohn@childrenatrisk.org

REGISTER

Dallas Spring Virtual Texas Tour 2024
2024-04-24 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | Zoom
Each Spring, the CHILDREN AT RISK Early Childhood Education team host community roundtables in 12 major cities across Texas. During the roundtables, C@R will share new data and analysis regarding the ECE landscape, including child care deserts, as well as provide an update on the Prenatal-to-3 Collaborative. We look forward to these conversations as they provide a vital opportunity for participants to share what they’ve been experiencing in their community. Together, the data analysis and these community conversations will better inform C@R’s upcoming policy agenda for the 89th Legislative Session in 2025, striving to improve our early childhood education system for Texas children.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, April 24, 2024 from 1:00-2:00pm (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Jacob at jwestjohn@childrenatrisk.org

REGISTER

Austin Spring Virtual Texas Tour 2024
2024-04-25 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | Zoom
Each Spring, the CHILDREN AT RISK Early Childhood Education team host community roundtables in 12 major cities across Texas. During the roundtables, C@R will share new data and analysis regarding the ECE landscape, including child care deserts, as well as provide an update on the Prenatal-to-3 Collaborative. We look forward to these conversations as they provide a vital opportunity for participants to share what they’ve been experiencing in their community. Together, the data analysis and these community conversations will better inform C@R’s upcoming policy agenda for the 89th Legislative Session in 2025, striving to improve our early childhood education system for Texas children.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, April 25, 2024 from 12:00-1:00pm (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Jacob at jwestjohn@childrenatrisk.org

REGISTER

Lubbock Virtual Spring Texas Tour 2024
2024-04-25 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | Zoom
Each Spring, the CHILDREN AT RISK Early Childhood Education team host community roundtables in 12 major cities across Texas. During the roundtables, C@R will share new data and analysis regarding the ECE landscape, including child care deserts, as well as provide an update on the Prenatal-to-3 Collaborative. We look forward to these conversations as they provide a vital opportunity for participants to share what they’ve been experiencing in their community. Together, the data analysis and these community conversations will better inform C@R’s upcoming policy agenda for the 89th Legislative Session in 2025, striving to improve our early childhood education system for Texas children.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, April 25, 2024 from 1:00-2:00pm (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Jacob at jwestjohn@childrenatrisk.org

REGISTER

24th Annual CHILDREN AT RISK Golf Classic
2024-04-26 11:00 - 18:00 UTC | The Clubs of Kingwood Golf Course
Join us at the 24th Annual CHILDREN AT RISK Golf Classic!
CHILDREN AT RISK celebrates 35 years of service this year and through the years, the Golf Classic has raised critical funds to support our mission to improve the quality of life for children across Texas.
Come out and support CHILDREN AT RISK while enjoying a day of golf. This event is hosted by Melissa Wilson of FOX 26, Chaired by Manny Panjwani, with Ben Patton as Vice Chair.
Lunch will be served before players head out for a putting contest, a round on the prestigious Clubs of Kingwood 18-hole private course with surprise hole activities along the way. The tournament will conclude with drinks and dinner.
It’s sure to be a fantastic day on the green, so come out and join us!

Sponsorship Opportunities

Register

For more information, please contact Michelle Bowman at mbowman@childrenatrisk.org or 713.301.6970.

Thank You to our Sponsors!

Bronze Sponsor

Player Sponsors

SWAG Sponsor

Baylor Team Sic’em BearsHotel ZaZaVishwas IyengarManny Panjwani & FriendsFuture SurgicalRupani Foundation USAMelissa Wilson Fox 26Kevin YuenSenderoSurestone GroupSanjay Mamidipalli, Smart Ai for Business Inc.Advantage BMWGautam Chugh, AccentureAdnan Khan, AccentureBen Patton & Chris Watt, Reed Smith LLPPlainsCapital BankVN TeamWork, Inc.David Wilson, AccentureLarry Wisniewski
Putting Sponsor
CHILDREN AT RISK BoardChris & Bob Snyder
Hole Sponsor
Greenside GetawaysDr. Sanjay Singh

2024 Equity Tour- El Paso
2024-04-29 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | United Way El Paso, 100 N. Stanton, El Paso, TX, 79901, United States
The Texas Equity Tour, slated for March and April 2024, is a pivotal event organized by CHILDREN AT RISK (C@R) to address systemic racism and its impact on Texas children and families. Rooted in the principles of racial equity, the tour serves as a platform to present key findings from the Texas Racial Equity Collaborative’s (TREC) comprehensive report, “State of Inequity: Dreams Deferred,” released in 2023.
With a focus on fair justice, educational equity, health disparities, and other systemic obstacles faced by communities of color, the tour aims to engage stakeholders, including elected officials, media, and community partners across Texas. Through regional stops in North Texas, West Texas, Central Texas, and the Gulf Coast, the tour will facilitate press conferences, presentations, and group discussions tailored to each region’s specific challenges and successes.
The tour’s overarching goal is to foster dialogue, gather community feedback, and spotlight effective programs and partnerships combating racial inequities. By amplifying voices and experiences, the event seeks to inform future research, education, and advocacy efforts championed by C@R and TREC.
At its core, the Texas Equity Tour represents a concerted effort to dismantle systemic racism and dismantle barriers to success for Texas children, young adults, and families. By confronting uncomfortable truths and fostering collaboration, the tour aims to ignite meaningful change, advancing racial equity and promoting a more just and inclusive society.
This event is presented by CHILDREN AT RISK in partnership with the Texas Family Leadership Council (TXFLC), the Texas Racial Equity Collaborative (TREC), and United Way of El Paso County.

Press Conference: 10:00am-10:30am
Equity Tour: 10:30am-12:00pm

Join CHILDREN AT RISK April 29th, 2024 from 10am-12:00pm (MT) for a critical local discussion surrounding Equity in El Paso!

or questions or concerns, please reach out to learning@childrenatrisk.org or awatts@childrenatrisk.org .

REGISTER

Motherhood Roundtable
2024-05-02 14:00 - 15:00 UTC | Zoom
Disparities in maternal healthcare are a growing issue in Texas. The Motherhood Panel will dive into the rights of pregnant people in Texas and self-advocacy for expecting mothers. Experts will address the important information people should know during pregnancy in Texas regarding maternal health. Join us in raising awareness on maternal health rights!
This summit is presented in partnership with the Texas Family Leadership Council (TXFLC).
Want to join us as a partner or sponsor on an upcoming Learning Event? Reach out to learning@childrenatrisk.org for more information.

REGISTER

Stand Up for Children
2024-05-31 18:30 - 22:00 UTC | Hilton Americas – Houston, 1600 Lamar St, Houston, TX, 77010, United States
Mark your calendars for Friday, May 31st! CHILDREN AT RISK is bringing back the Stand Up for Children Gala, an evening that will feature Emmy-award winning actor and comedian Dana Carvey, lots of laughs, and an opportunity to improve the lives of Texas children.
We are delighted to have April & Wells McGee as our Gala Chairs, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital as our Corporate Honoree, and Stacey & Al Lindseth as our Community Honorees.
Over the past three decades, CHILDREN AT RISK has evolved into one of the largest statewide child advocacy groups in America and the premier resource on children‘s issues in Texas. We tirelessly champion the rights and well-being of all children in Texas with an unwavering dedication to enacting systemic change while considering the whole child. As we look to the future, our commitment to driving macro-level change remains steadfast.
In past years, Stand Up has raised critical funds for CHILDREN AT RISK to support our mission to improve the quality of life for children across Texas. We hope to welcome you for a memorable evening of cocktails, dining, auction, and not-to-be-missed comedy entertainment!
For table and ticket opportunities, click on the button below. We greatly appreciate your support and look forward to the opportunity to collaborate for a brighter future for children.

ABOUT DANA CARVEY

Dana Carvey is best known for his iconic and indelible SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE characters – most memorably Church Lady, Grumpy Old Man, Hans, and of course Garth – Mike Myers’ “excellent Co-Host” on the classic sketch turned feature film, WAYNE’S WORLD. Carvey has received much praise for his uncanny comedic impersonations of American political figures, including George HW Bush, Ross Perot, Jerry Brown, and Bob Dole. In 2016, Dana released a Netflix Special “STRAIGHT WHITE MALE, 60” to much acclaim. You can now hear Dana on his chart-topping hit podcast FLY ON THE WALL which he co-hosts with friend and comic David Spade, and voicing several characters on the animated show MULLIGAN, produced by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Purchase Tables and Tickets

Thank You to our Sponsors!

Platinum Sponsor

Gary R. Peterson

Gold Sponsor

Stacey & Al Lindseth
April & Wells McGee
Silver Sponsor
Sippi & Ajay Khurana
Florence Wells McGee
Bronze Sponsor
Drs. Claire Bocchini & Wilsom Lam
Nancy and Paul Darst
Doe & Henry Florsheim
Houston Texans
Charanya and Vishwas Iyengar
Clarisa Ramirez & Dustin Meador
Suzan & Jeremy Samuels
Jenny & John Seo
UTHealth Pediatrics
Photo Booth Sponsor
North Texas Commission
VIP Couples
Shawn & Donald Bowers
Pam Humphrey – CHUBB
Asha and Joseph George
Chris Wallace
Krista Frazier and Larry Wisniewski
Katy and Ed Wolff

For more information, please contact Michelle Bowman at mbowman@childrenatrisk.org or 713.301.6970.

2024 Immigration Summit
2024-06-20 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | Zoom
This fifth annual Immigration Summit will explore the unique challenges facing immigrant children and their families. Join us to learn about child-forward immigration policies, access to basic needs and mental health resources, education, and how to center children in the narrative surrounding immigrants and immigration. Our summit will bring together child advocates and experts from across the nation!
This summit is in partnership with the Texas Family Leadership Council (TXFLC) and sponsored by the Children Thrive Action Network (CTAN) and H-E-B.
Want to join us as a partner or sponsor on an upcoming Learning Event? Reach out to learning@childrenatrisk.org for more information.

REGISTER

AGENDA

2024 Education Summit
2024-08-08 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Zoom
SUMMIT RECORDING

DIGITAL FLYER

SUMMIT AGENDA

This year’s Education Summit will explore innovative solutions and strategies to enhance education for all students. Join us to learn about effective parent engagement in early education, re-engaging disconnected students, and addressing disparities in college and career readiness. Our summit will bring together educators, parents, and community leaders from across the state of Texas!
This summit is generously sponsored by Shell USA and presented in partnership with the Texas Family Leadership Council (TXFLC), Early Learning Alliance (ELA), Family to Family Network, Santa Maria Hostel, Molina Health Care, Every Texan, Diversify Our Narrative, 8 Million Stories, South Early College High School, and Educate Texas.
Want to join us as a partner or sponsor on an upcoming Learning Event? Reach out to learning@childrenatrisk.org for more information.

PN-3 Collaborative Open Meeting | August
2024-08-21 13:30 - 14:30 UTC | Virtual via Zoom
August Virtual Open Meeting | PN-3 Collaborative

The Prenatal-to-Three (PN-3) Collaborative is excited to welcome all to their first Open Meeting of 2024!
CHILDREN AT RISK in partnership with TexProtects and Texans Care for Children have developed a 90-minute Open Meeting to share updates from Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) and Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), before breaking-out into 3 individual sessions to discuss child and maternal health, early childhood education & family supports.

ABOUT PN-3 COLLABORATIVE

REGISTER FOR FREE

The PN3 Collaborative
is a group dedicated to working with the Texas Legislature and other state leaders to increase the number of infants and toddlers who are healthy, supported and arrive at school ready to learn. Learn more here. Not already a member? Join our network here.

Advocates for Children: North Texas Reception
2024-09-26 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | The Constellation Club, 5215 N O'Connor Blvd Suite 2600, Irving, TX, 75039, United States
We hope that you will be our guest at The Constellation Club on September 26th for Advocates for Children! From 6-8 PM in Irving, TX., guests will have the opportunity to enjoy complimentary lite bites at this beautiful venue while learning more about our mission to improve the quality of life for children in the North Texas area. We’re honored to also have the opportunity to recognize the distinct work of notable advocates serving the region during this event. Together we’re making a shared dream a reality – happy, healthy, and prosperous homes, schools, and communities for Texas children.
For 35 years, CHILDREN AT RISK has been an advocate for those who need it most – our children! Our mission is to be a catalyst for change, improving the quality of life for Texas children through strategic research, public policy analysis, community education, innovative collaboration, and steadfast advocacy. By focusing on three main issue areas that improve the quality of life for children (Education, Health, and Safety & Opportunity) our team is striving to make Texas the best possible place for kids to grow up.

Register Today!

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Michelle Bowman, Director of Special Events at mbowman@childrenatrisk.org or 713.301.6970.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Amit Parikh

2024 Fall Texas Tour: Fort Worth
2024-10-01 09:00 - 10:30 UTC
REGISTER

CHILDREN AT RISK’s Early Childhood Texas Tour is coming to a city near you, and you won’t want to miss it. C@R is hitting the road with 12 in-person stops across the state, bringing together child care providers, community leaders, and anyone passionate about improving quality in early childhood education. At each stop, we’ll dive into the latest data and insights from our new report on how Local Workforce Development Boards are investing in quality child care, explore the exciting possibilities of Texas Proposition 2, which grants a local tax exemption for property used to operate child care facilities, gather real-world feedback on the challenges facing family child care providers, and gear up for the upcoming legislative session.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, Tuesday October 1st, 2024 from 9:00-10:30am (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Becky at rquintanilla@childrenatrisk.org

2024 Fall Texas Tour: Lubbock
2024-10-02 09:00 - 10:30 UTC
REGISTER

CHILDREN AT RISK’s Early Childhood Texas Tour is coming to a city near you, and you won’t want to miss it. C@R is hitting the road with 12 in-person stops across the state, bringing together child care providers, community leaders, and anyone passionate about improving quality in early childhood education. At each stop, we’ll dive into the latest data and insights from our new report on how Local Workforce Development Boards are investing in quality child care, explore the exciting possibilities of Texas Proposition 2, which grants a local tax exemption for property used to operate child care facilities, gather real-world feedback on the challenges facing family child care providers, and gear up for the upcoming legislative session.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, Wednesday October 2nd, 2024 from 9:00-10:30am (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Becky at rquintanilla@childrenatrisk.org

2024 Fall Texas Tour: Amarillo
2024-10-03 12:30 - 14:00 UTC
REGISTER

CHILDREN AT RISK’s Early Childhood Texas Tour is coming to a city near you, and you won’t want to miss it. C@R is hitting the road with 12 in-person stops across the state, bringing together child care providers, community leaders, and anyone passionate about improving quality in early childhood education. At each stop, we’ll dive into the latest data and insights from our new report on how Local Workforce Development Boards are investing in quality child care, explore the exciting possibilities of Texas Proposition 2, which grants a local tax exemption for property used to operate child care facilities, gather real-world feedback on the challenges facing family child care providers, and gear up for the upcoming legislative session.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, Thursday October 3rd, 2024 from 12:30-02:00pm (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Becky at rquintanilla@childrenatrisk.org

2024 Fall Texas Tour: Brownsville
2024-10-08 09:00 - 10:30 UTC
REGISTER

CHILDREN AT RISK’s Early Childhood Texas Tour is coming to a city near you, and you won’t want to miss it. C@R is hitting the road with 12 in-person stops across the state, bringing together child care providers, community leaders, and anyone passionate about improving quality in early childhood education. At each stop, we’ll dive into the latest data and insights from our new report on how Local Workforce Development Boards are investing in quality child care, explore the exciting possibilities of Texas Proposition 2, which grants a local tax exemption for property used to operate child care facilities, gather real-world feedback on the challenges facing family child care providers, and gear up for the upcoming legislative session.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, Tuesday October 8th, 2024 from 09:00-10:30am (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Becky at rquintanilla@childrenatrisk.org

2024 Fall Texas Tour: McAllen
2024-10-08 18:00 - 19:30 UTC
REGISTER

CHILDREN AT RISK’s Early Childhood Texas Tour is coming to a city near you, and you won’t want to miss it. C@R is hitting the road with 12 in-person stops across the state, bringing together child care providers, community leaders, and anyone passionate about improving quality in early childhood education. At each stop, we’ll dive into the latest data and insights from our new report on how Local Workforce Development Boards are investing in quality child care, explore the exciting possibilities of Texas Proposition 2, which grants a local tax exemption for property used to operate child care facilities, gather real-world feedback on the challenges facing family child care providers, and gear up for the upcoming legislative session.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, Tuesday October 8th, 2024 from 06:00-07:30pm (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Becky at rquintanilla@childrenatrisk.org

2024 Fall Texas Tour: Dallas
2024-10-15 12:00 - 13:30 UTC
REGISTER

CHILDREN AT RISK’s Early Childhood Texas Tour is coming to a city near you, and you won’t want to miss it. C@R is hitting the road with 12 in-person stops across the state, bringing together child care providers, community leaders, and anyone passionate about improving quality in early childhood education. At each stop, we’ll dive into the latest data and insights from our new report on how Local Workforce Development Boards are investing in quality child care, explore the exciting possibilities of Texas Proposition 2, which grants a local tax exemption for property used to operate child care facilities, gather real-world feedback on the challenges facing family child care providers, and gear up for the upcoming legislative session.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, Tuesday October 15th, 2024 from 12:00-01:30pm (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Becky at rquintanilla@childrenatrisk.org

The State of El Paso Children: Surviving to Thriving Luncheon
2024-10-16 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Denver) | Hotel Paso del Norte
Pledge Your Support!

View The Digital Program!

Join us for this first-ever community-hosted event by CHILDREN AT RISK! The State of El Paso Children is more than just a gathering—it’s a call to action for all stakeholders committed to enhancing the well-being of children and families. This event is not just about understanding the challenges; it’s about finding solutions and taking collective action. Together, we can forge a path towards a future where every child not only survives but thrives.
Join us for this exciting event! We’ll showcase:

Insightful Data Presentations: Gain exclusive insights from CHILDREN AT RISK’s comprehensive overview of where our children stand today and the steps needed to ensure their prosperous future.
Expert Panel Discussions: Engage with leading experts as they dissect key metrics of child well-being and offer actionable recommendations for improvement. This is your opportunity to deepen your understanding of the issues at hand and learn how you can make a difference.
Keynote Address: Be inspired by a keynote speech from a prominent political figure who is at the forefront of advocating for children’s rights and well-being.
Networking and Celebration: Connect with like-minded individuals over lunch, celebrate the achievements of El Paso’s top child advocates, and explore opportunities to collaborate for a common cause.

GUEST EXPERTS
Keynote Speaker: Texas State Senator César J. Blanco​
Panelists:

Health: Christina Paz, CEO – Centro San Vicente
Mental Health: Cathy Gaytan, CEO – El Paso Child Guidance Center
Early Education: Arthur Valiant, Manager – Early Matters El Paso, Breakthrough 915 – El Paso Collaborative for Academic Excellence UTEP
K-12 Education: Nadia Tellez, Director – CREEED
Human Trafficking: Nicole Schiff, Executive Director – Paso del Norte Center for Hope

For more information, please contact Libby Camp at lcamp@childrenatrisk.org.

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

El Paso County

River Oaks Properties

Emergence Health Network

SPECIAL THANKS TO

Community En Acción

El Paso Independent School District

GECU Foundation

2024 Fall Texas Tour: El Paso
2024-10-17 10:00 - 11:30 UTC
REGISTER

CHILDREN AT RISK’s Early Childhood Texas Tour is coming to a city near you, and you won’t want to miss it. C@R is hitting the road with 12 in-person stops across the state, bringing together child care providers, community leaders, and anyone passionate about improving quality in early childhood education. At each stop, we’ll dive into the latest data and insights from our new report on how Local Workforce Development Boards are investing in quality child care, explore the exciting possibilities of Texas Proposition 2, which grants a local tax exemption for property used to operate child care facilities, gather real-world feedback on the challenges facing family child care providers, and gear up for the upcoming legislative session.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, Thursday October 17th, 2024 from 10:00-11:30am (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Becky at rquintanilla@childrenatrisk.org

2024 STEM Summit
2024-10-17 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Zoom
“Innovating the STEM Pipeline: Aligning Education, Industry, and Workforce Needs” is a summit uniting Texas’ top minds in education, industry, and policy to reimagine STEM career pathways. This event delves into emerging roles in automation, AI, and data science, emphasizing the need for an adaptable education system. Through four sessions, attendees will explore how strategic partnerships are implementing innovative career readiness models like P-TECHs, H-TECHs, STEM and CTE campuses that combine CTE programs of study, work-based learning, and dual credit opportunities to help students secure Industry Based Certifications and Higher Education Credentials. Join us to learn about the programs that are best preparing students for high-demand STEM careers by ensuring a smooth transition from the school halls to the workforce.
This summit is presented in partnership with the Texas Family Leadership Council (TXFLC).
Want to join us as a partner or sponsor on an upcoming Learning Event? Reach out to learning@childrenatrisk.org for more information.

REGISTER

Sponsored By

2024 Fall Texas Tour: San Antonio
2024-10-23 10:00 - 11:30 UTC
REGISTER

CHILDREN AT RISK’s Early Childhood Texas Tour is coming to a city near you, and you won’t want to miss it. C@R is hitting the road with 12 in-person stops across the state, bringing together child care providers, community leaders, and anyone passionate about improving quality in early childhood education. At each stop, we’ll dive into the latest data and insights from our new report on how Local Workforce Development Boards are investing in quality child care, explore the exciting possibilities of Texas Proposition 2, which grants a local tax exemption for property used to operate child care facilities, gather real-world feedback on the challenges facing family child care providers, and gear up for the upcoming legislative session.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, Wednesday October 23rd, 2024 from 10:00-11:30am (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Becky at rquintanilla@childrenatrisk.org

2024 Fall Texas Tour: Midland/Odessa
2024-10-24 09:00 - 10:30 UTC
REGISTER

CHILDREN AT RISK’s Early Childhood Texas Tour is coming to a city near you, and you won’t want to miss it. C@R is hitting the road with 12 in-person stops across the state, bringing together child care providers, community leaders, and anyone passionate about improving quality in early childhood education. At each stop, we’ll dive into the latest data and insights from our new report on how Local Workforce Development Boards are investing in quality child care, explore the exciting possibilities of Texas Proposition 2, which grants a local tax exemption for property used to operate child care facilities, gather real-world feedback on the challenges facing family child care providers, and gear up for the upcoming legislative session.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, Thursday October 24th, 2024 from 09:00-10:30am (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Becky at rquintanilla@childrenatrisk.org

2024 Fall Texas Tour: Houston
2024-10-29 09:00 - 11:00 UTC
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CHILDREN AT RISK’s Early Childhood Texas Tour is coming to a city near you, and you won’t want to miss it. C@R is hitting the road with 12 in-person stops across the state, bringing together child care providers, community leaders, and anyone passionate about improving quality in early childhood education. At each stop, we’ll dive into the latest data and insights from our new report on how Local Workforce Development Boards are investing in quality child care, explore the exciting possibilities of Texas Proposition 2, which grants a local tax exemption for property used to operate child care facilities, gather real-world feedback on the challenges facing family child care providers, and gear up for the upcoming legislative session.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, Tuesday October 29th, 2024 from 09:00-11:0am (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Becky at rquintanilla@childrenatrisk.org

2024 Fall Texas Tour: Tyler
2024-10-30 18:00 - 19:30 UTC
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CHILDREN AT RISK’s Early Childhood Texas Tour is coming to a city near you, and you won’t want to miss it. C@R is hitting the road with 12 in-person stops across the state, bringing together child care providers, community leaders, and anyone passionate about improving quality in early childhood education. At each stop, we’ll dive into the latest data and insights from our new report on how Local Workforce Development Boards are investing in quality child care, explore the exciting possibilities of Texas Proposition 2, which grants a local tax exemption for property used to operate child care facilities, gather real-world feedback on the challenges facing family child care providers, and gear up for the upcoming legislative session.
Join CHILDREN AT RISK’S Early Education team, Wednesday October 30th, 2024 from 06:00-07:30am (CST) to provide local insight and help shape the future of children in Texas.
Questions? Concerns? Contact Becky at rquintanilla@childrenatrisk.org

Accolades 2024: The Texas Academy Awards of Child Advocacy
2024-11-01 11:00 - 13:00 UTC | Hotel ZaZa, 5701 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77005, United States
Day Of Purchases

Event Program

35 for 35 Influencers

This is a very special year for CHILDREN AT RISK as we celebrate 35 years of advocacy for those who need it most – our children! Our annual Accolades Luncheon, The Texas Academy Awards of Child Advocacy, has recognized numerous child advocates in our communities, elevated key priorities for children, and raised critical funds to support our mission to improve the quality of life for Texas children. This year’s luncheon will be held on Friday, November 1, 2024, at the beautiful Hotel Zaza Museum District in Houston from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m and will be a culmination of our year-long 35th anniversary celebrations!
We are delighted to have our past CHILDREN AT RISK Board Chairs as our Accolades Event Chairs for this year’s Luncheon. As we celebrate our 35th Anniversary, we will highlight the critical importance of child advocacy to enact systems change that will lead to long-term positive impact for children. CHILDREN AT RISK continues to lead the way in driving change so that every child receives equitable opportunities, a quality education, access to nutrition and healthcare, and is free from the dangers of human trafficking and exploitation.

2024 Accolades Luncheon Co-Chairs

2024 Accolades Luncheon Honorees

HEALTH LEGACY
Mark Wallace,
Former President & CEO, Texas Children’s Hospital

VOICE FOR CHILDREN
State Representative James Talarico,
District 50

Statewide Nominees

CHILD HEALTH ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
Shreela Sharma PhD, Co-Founder, Brighter Bites
Steven Kelder PhD MPH, Executive Board Member, Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH)
Kimberly Avila Edwards MD, Director of Advocacy and External Affairs, Dell Medical School, The University of texas at Austin

RISING STAR IN CHILD ADVOCACY
Jenna Lewis, General Counsel, Office of Senator Tan Parker
Travis Evans, Southern Region Director, Young Invincibles
Selena Saldana, Legislative Director, Office of Representative Senfronia Thompson

EDUCATION ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
Lisa Descant LPC, LMFT, CEO, Communities in Schools
Lupita Hinojosa EdD, Superintendent, Spring ISD
Danny King PhD, Executive Director, Region 1 Education Service Center

EXCELLENCE IN EQUITY NON-PROFIT
Teresa Granillo, AVANCE, Inc
Thomas A. Saenz, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
Amber Sims, Young Leaders Strong Cities

OUTSTANDING CHILD FOCUSED NON-PROFIT OR NON-PROFIT PROGRAM
Big Thought – Erin Offord, CEO
Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas – Beth Myers, CEO
Pre-K4 SA – Sarah Baray PhD, CEO

OUTSTANDING NON-PROFIT COLLABORATIVE OR COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM
Greater Houston Opportunity Youth Collaborative – Adriana Wilson, Managing Director
Bexar County Education Coalition – Julia Grizzard, Executive Director and Founder
The Texas Collaborative for Healthy Mothers and Babies (TCHMB) – Dr. Charleta Guillory, Chair TCHMB; Susan Dimitriejvic, Clinical Lead

OUTSTANDING NON-PROFIT RESEARCHER
Deanna M. Hoelscher, PhD, RD, LD, CNS, Regional Dean, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin, Director, Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living
Sarah Messiah, Professor of Epidemiology & Pediatrics, Associate Dean for Research Affairs (interim), Director, Child and Adolescent Population Health Program, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Alan Cohen, Founder & CEO, Child Poverty Action Lab (CPAL)

Regional Awards

OUTSTANDING CHILD ADVOCATE
Houston, Gulf Coast, and East Texas
Carolyn Watson, Executive Director, William Stamps Farish Fund; Co-Chair, Greater Houston Opportunity Youth Collaborative
Cynthia Colbert, President & CEO, Catholic Charities

OUTSTANDING CHILD ADVOCATE
El Paso and West Texas
Rafael Garcia, Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish
Adrian Vega, Executive Director, Education Partnership of the Permian Basin
Ruben Garcia, Director, Annunciation House

OUTSTANDING CHILD ADVOCATE
Austin, San Antonio, and Central Texas
Celina Moreno, CEO, Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA)
Viridiana Tule Carrizales, Co-Founder and CEO, ImmSchools
Adrian Lopez, CEO, Alamo Workforce Solutions

OUTSTANDING CHILD ADVOCATE
Rio Grande Valley
Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu, Executive Director, Christian’s Manor
Francisco Almaraz, CEO, Workforce Solutions Rio Grande
Karina Chapa, Executive Director, Texas Association for Bilingual Education

OUTSTANDING CHILD ADVOCATE
Dallas, Fort Worth, and North Texas
Bethany Edwards, Executive Director, Early Learning Alliance
Lindsey Speed, Executive Director, Traffick 911
Monica Ordonez, Program Director, Bachman Lake Together

THANK YOU, SPONSORS!

Victoria Garcia
The Children’s Assessment Center Foundation
Wellpoint

Ruth J. Simmons

Camden

Prism Energy Solutions

Clifford Chance
Paula and Reginald DesRoches

Special Thanks!

Jeremy Samuels
Ruth Roylance
Regina Rogers
Ginni & Richard Mithoff

Bob & Chris Snyder
Alessa Serda
John Seo

Doe & Henry Florsheim
Mark Troth
Chris Wallace
Larry Wisniewski

We had a fabulous time last year!

Last year, we were honored to have Robert and Georgiana Ladd and Ben and Mary Patton as Chairs and to give extra ‘kudos’ to our honoree Dr. Ruth Simmons, a native Texan and a trail blazer in the field of education on a national level.

Read All About It

For more information, please contact Michelle Bowman at mbowman@childrenatrisk.org or 713.301.6970.

2024 Fall Texas Tour: Virtual Statewide
2024-11-12 11:00 - 12:30 UTC | Virtual via Zoom
CHILDREN AT RISK’s Early Childhood Texas Tour is making stops in cities across Texas—and now includes a statewide virtual session on Tuesday, November 12 for advocates everywhere to join! This online event offers a data deep dive into the latest findings from our newest report on Local Workforce Development Board investments in quality child care.

At each stop, we’ll explore the impact of Texas Proposition 2, which provides local tax exemptions for child care providers, and gather valuable insights from family child care providers on the pressing challenges they face. With the next legislative session approaching, this tour offers an ideal opportunity to connect, share ideas, and prepare for progress in early childhood education.
Join us on the road—or online!

Questions? Concerns? Reach out to Becky at rquintanilla@childrenatrisk.org

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