C@R Travels to Austin with Fellow Advocates

Hosts 2024 Legislative Briefing on Early Childhood Education

On Wednesday, September 4th, CHILDREN AT RISK hosted a significant Capitol Briefing on Early Childhood Education in Austin, Texas. This briefing, sponsored by Senator Royce West, brought together members and staff of the Texas Legislature, community leaders, child care providers, and advocates to discuss Texas’s investments in improving child care access and quality statewide.

A Focus on Early Childhood Education

The briefing highlighted Texas’s efforts to maximize the use of early childhood education funds to address growing challenges in child care accessibility. Experts from CHILDREN AT RISK shared new data on the statewide child care landscape, providing valuable insights into child care deserts and the critical role of local workforce development boards in supporting these underserved communities.

Key Data Presented

• Child Care Desert Data: CHILDREN AT RISK discussed recent data pinpointing regions across Texas where families face limited access to quality child care. These areas, known as Child Care Deserts, are communities where the demand for licensed child care exceeds supply, leaving many working families struggling to find reliable, affordable options for their children.

• Giving insight into C@R’s upcoming report, Paving the Way to Quality, C@R highlighted key data and shared best practices in funding investments, emphasizing the unique needs of Texan communities. 

Insights from Experts and Providers

Attendees heard from a distinguished panel of guest advocates who shared their expertise and on-the-ground experiences:

• Mandi Kimball, Vice President & Chief Government Relations Officer at CHILDREN AT RISK, provided an overview of the child care landscape in Texas and emphasized the need for continued investment in early childhood education.

• Kim Kofron, Senior Director of Education at CHILDREN AT RISK, presented detailed findings on child care deserts and offered strategies to close gaps in access, particularly in underserved areas.

• David Feigen, Director of Early Learning Policy at Texans Care for Children, shared policy updates and outlined innovative strategies Texas is using to ensure more children have access to high-quality early education.

• Melanie Rubin, Director of the North Texas Early Learning Alliance, highlighted the collaborative efforts taking place in North Texas to address the needs of young children and families, stressing the importance of community partnerships and innovative solutions to improve access to quality child care across the region.

• Jerletha McDonald, Founder & CEO of Arlington DRW Child Care Providers Association, brought the perspective of family child care providers to the conversation, discussing the challenges they face in meeting the growing demands of working families.

• Cody Summerville, CEO of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TXAEYC), echoed the call for expanded support and collaboration between child care providers and policymakers, emphasizing the long-term benefits of investing in early childhood education.

Policy Recommendations and Next Steps

The briefing concluded with actionable policy recommendations aimed at improving access to child care and better utilizing existing early childhood education funds. These included:

• Expanding funding for child care programs in underserved areas.
• Supporting child care providers with additional resources and training.
• Encouraging partnerships between state agencies, local workforce boards, and child care providers to ensure equitable access to quality care for all Texas children.

Looking Ahead

As Texas continues to navigate the complex child care landscape, this Capitol Briefing served as a vital platform for discussion and collaboration. By bringing together legislators, community leaders, and advocates, the event highlighted the ongoing efforts to address child care challenges across the state.

CHILDREN AT RISK remains committed to advocating for sustainable solutions that improve outcomes for Texas children and families. The insights and data shared at the briefing will help guide future policies aimed at ensuring every child in Texas has access to the quality early education they deserve.

Special thanks to Senator West for sponsoring this important event, and to all speakers and attendees for their valuable contributions to the conversation.

Stay tuned for more updates from CHILDREN AT RISK as we continue to champion the future of early childhood education in Texas.