TEXAS (January 28, 2026) –  CHILDREN AT RISK has released its second analysis of Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) spending across Texas. Focusing on investments made in the 2024 Board Calendar Year, this second publication of Paving the Way to Quality uncovered statewide investment trends prioritizing professional development and training for child care teachers, improvements to infant and toddler classrooms, and staff retention strategies. 

Building on past data, this report is designed to bring investment trends into a publicly accessible space, empower LWDBs to learn from peers, and encourage strategic, targeted spending that helps close the gap in child care availability and quality statewide. 

Texas is experiencing a critical child care shortage, especially for low-income working families. The state lost nearly 75,000 child care slots in the past year, leaving 88% of low-income families living in child care deserts. More than 90,000 children remain on a waitlist, and nearly half a million eligible children ages 0–5 are not being served. 

C@R’s expert analysis revealed that in 2024 Board Calendar Year (BCY24): 

• 77% of Child Care Quality funds across the 28 LWDBs were allocated between Texas Rising Star (TRS) and “Other” categories, 42% and 35% respectively. This reflects a shift from 2023, when 81% of funds were concentrated in the TRS category alone. 

• The “Infant/Toddler” category had the largest growth from 2023 to 2024 by going from 79% of LWDBs to 100% of Boards spending quality dollars to support infant and toddler classrooms.  

• The second largest growth was the “Other” category, jumping from 46% to 64% of LWDBs allocating funds. This category is mainly made up of wage supplements, largely used for retention bonuses and achievement-based stipends.