Public Policy & Advocacy
CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN
Research & data without action are not enough. CHILDREN AT RISK leverages its expertise to educate policymakers and advocate for policies that improve the lives of children.
The 87th Texas Legislature is now in Session!
Children at Risk advocates are hard at work with legislators and community leaders across Texas to drive change this legislative session. Visit our advocacy action center to find our current legislative resources and bill watchlist.
Public Policy and Law Center (PPLC)
The Public Policy and Law Center (PPLC) was established in 2006 as an outgrowth of CHILDREN AT RISK’s longtime research and advocacy work and in response to the American Bar Association’s appeal to the private bar, “[to] get involved and use its legal expertise on behalf of Houston’s children (American Bar Association Children’s Rights Litigation Committee, 2004).”
PPLC is led by a Law Advisory Board of over 35 attorneys from the legal and business communities and staffed with a dedicated and creative group of attorneys and public policy analysts, which has enabled it to be tremendously successful in its years of operation.
The mission of CHILDREN AT RISK’s Public Policy and Law Center is to improve the lives of children across Texas through:
- Legal and policy research and advocacy
- Legislative and administrative rule drafting
- Drafting of amicus briefs and impact litigation
- Continuing education for attorneys and other professionals on children’s legal and policy issue
How did Children Fare in the 87th Texas Legislative Session?
As the dust settles on the 87th Texas Legislative Session, Children at Risk advocates are still processing recently passed legislation and evaluating their potential impact on the lives of Texas families. Over the last 140 days, Children at Risk registered support for bills 93 times, provided impactful written testimony 21 times, and provided oral testimony 20 times. Out of our many legislative...
May Round-Up: Busy Session, Bright Futures
The 87th Texas Legislative Session comes to a close The regular 87th Texas Legislative session wraps up in just a few days at midnight on Monday, May 31st. CHILDREN AT RISK staff have been working around the clock to support the public policies Texas families need most. From early childhood to human trafficking, CHILDREN AT RISK registered in support of legislation 93 times and testified 21...
C@R Welcomes Kim Kofron as Director of Early Childhood Education
CHILDREN AT RISK is excited to welcome Kim Kofron as our new Director of Early Childhood Education! “We are very excited to have Kim join our team, because of her vast experience in Early Childhood Education,” said Dr. Bob Sanborn, president and CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK. “Kim’s expertise and knowledge will bode well as we help to build quality early childhood systems in Texas.” Prior to joining...
March Round-Up: Advocates in Action
Advocates in Action As the 87th Texas Legislative Session heats up, Children at Risk advocates are hard at work supporting and drawing attention to good bills for kids. So far this session, Children at Risk has hosted three advocacy days and virtual rallies, registered support for legislation 29 times, submitted written testimony 13 times, and testified in person 13 times. Click the pictures...
TXFLC Hosts Roundtable on Unaccompanied Children at the Border
In response to recent and upcoming delegation visits to migrant centers, the Texas Immigration Network, a Texas Family Leadership Council (TXFLC) workgroup, hosted a virtual roundtable to unpack the current issue of unaccompanied children at the Texas border. Speaking from their on-the-ground experiences working with migrant children, child advocates spoke on the condition of facilities, the...
Testimony in Support of Early Childhood Education
ABOVE: Texas Prenatal to Three Collaborative members testify in support of several child care-related bills. Pictured from left to right: Sandy Dochen, Tom Hendrick, Chuck Cohn, Brooke Freeland, Marnie Glaser, Sarah Baray, Lyn Lucas, Kim Kofron, Melanie Rubin, and Mandi Kimball.In a historic public hearing held March 24th by the Texas House International Relations and Economic Development...
Texas Business Leaders Show Support for Child Care Industry
Over 50 business leaders from across Texas have signed a letter to Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Patrick, and Speaker Phelan, to pass critical legislation this session that protects child care providers, increases access to quality child care and early learning for young children, and supports working parents of young children. These businesses join CHILDREN AT RISK and a host of nonprofits to...
COVID-19 Related Child Care Closures
Child care centers, already some of the most economically vulnerable businesses in Texas, provide an essential service to working families and critical early educaation for young children. Throughout the pandemic, permanent, temporary, and extended closures have left thousands of Texan families without access to reliable child care. Before COVID-19, child care was in short supply and cost more...
Testimony in Support of HB 1540: Preventing Child Trafficking from RTCs
Children at Risk Senior Staff Attorney and Anti-Trafficking Expert, Jamey Caruthers, testified in support of House Bill 1540 (S. Thompson) in front of the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on March 15, 2021. In Fiscal Year 2019, 1,973 children and youth were reported missing from DFPS custody. As in prior years, the living arrangements from which children and youth are missing most...
Chronic Absenteeism In Texas
Before the pandemic, Texas had a problem with chronic absenteeism in its schools. Statewide, chronic absenteeism averages at 12.5% pre-COVID and varies dramatically by region. More than 740,000 students missed at least one-tenth of their instruction in 2019. The pandemic has likely exacerbated chronic absenteeism as more students face new challenges and educational disruptions. Chronic...
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