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.
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
OUR LATEST
Learning from Experience: Advice for PK-12 Schools from Summer 2020
COVID-19 has placed unprecedented strain on our education system with early closures and emergency shifts online leading to learning losses and inequities. We know how important it is for children to return to school in-person this fall, but will it be safe? Drawing on their experiences operating summer programs, child care centers, and other family services throughout the Coronavirus pandemic,...
Children at Risk Statement on the Supreme Court Ruling to Maintain the DACA Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled against terminating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and in doing so temporarily protected hundreds of thousands of children from being either torn away from their families or forced to leave. DACA recipients and their children, the Court noted, relied upon and trusted the United States. Thankfully, their trust was...
TXFLC Statement on COVID-19 & Systemic Racism
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Contact - Rashena Flagg, 713.301.4577 STATEMENT FROM THE TEXAS FAMILY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL ON COVID-19 AND SYSTEMIC RACISM The senseless killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and too many others, have garnered immense public out-cry, and brought new attention to the historic injustices and systemic racism that permeate our public systems and...
Quality Child Care & the 86th Texas Legislature
During the 86th Texas Legislative Session, CHILDREN AT RISK diligently supported legislation that would improve access to quality child care across Texas. To help legislators understand the scope and impact of child care deserts in their home districts, C@R created Child Care Desert Profiles for every state House and Senate district. C@R is thrilled the Texas Legislature ultimately prioritized...
When Schools Close & Parents Lose Jobs, Kids Go Hungry
Food is one of the most basic needs, yet many families routinely struggle to access it. As of 2017, around 1 in 7 Texans reported experiencing food insecurity. With unemployment rising and many families losing income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this number has surely increased in recent months. Even if this spike in food insecurity is temporary, the impacts of lacking consistent access to...
VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE: Keeping Children Safe During COVID-19
Child safety experts from Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, and the Rio Grande Valley highlight how COVID-19 is impacting their regions, what they are doing to adapt, and what Texas Legislators need to know. While children have largely been spared the worst of the disease, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic nevertheless impact children and families. COVID-19 has affected our most vulnerable...
New Push for TX Lege to Support Babies, Toddlers, and Their Parents
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Rashena Flagg, 713.301.4577 Austin – Today three Texas nonprofit organizations announced a new effort to work 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. While Texas is home to 1 in 10 of our nation’s children, our current policies are not...
VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE: Texas Child Care & COVID-19
Child care experts from Amarillo, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, and Lubbock highlight how COVID-19 is impacting their regions, what they are doing to adapt, and what Texas Legislators need to know. Before COVID-19, 1 in 12 Texas children lived in a child care desert, child care providers struggled to meet financial obligations, and most child care employees made poverty-level wages. After...
Letter to Congress Regarding COVID-19 & Child Care
"The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed a longstanding truth: child care is one of the most critical institutions for our state’s employers, families, and children’s health and education. However, if Congress fails to support our child care providers and educators throughout this crisis and beyond, temporary closures may become permanent.” During this pandemic, the Center for Early Childhood...
Investment & Innovation
Exposure to high-quality early childhood education (ECE) is the foundation for future academic success, especially for children from low-income backgrounds. Increasing access to subsidized child care and public pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) opportunities are some of the pathways that Texas is utilizing to provide affordable early educational supports for children from low-income families. However,...
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POLICY PRIORITIES
- Build Strong Families and Spend Public Dollars More Efficiently
- Increase Access to Quality Early Education to Ensure All Children Are Ready for Kindergarten
- Invest in Programs and Strategies that Improve Children’s Physical, Mental and Social Development
- Prevent Human Trafficking and Protect Survivors
Talk to an Expert
CHILDREN AT RISK is pleased to offer expert speakers on pressing children’s issues for any venue.