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
Press Conference: Education, Legislation, and Workforce Alignment in Texas
Changes to school funding, teacher certification requirements, and public education policy poised to reshape academic recovery and career preparation for Texas students. Media Contacts:Morgan Gerri, 832.600.9354Rashena Franklin, 713.301.4577 HOUSTON, TX (June 6, 2025) – With fewer than half of Texas 9th graders meeting grade-level expectations in Algebra I and more than 42,000 uncertified...
State Senator César J. Blanco Passes Bill to Help Young Adults inWest Texas Get Back to School and Work
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Taylor Sanchez Taylor.sanchez@senate.texas.gov Austin, Texas – The Texas Senate has passed Senate Bill 1143, authored by Senator César J. Blanco, to help reconnect young adults in West Texas with education, job training, and career opportunities. In Texas, nearly 14% of young people between the ages of 16 and 24 are not in school and not working—a rate higher...
Connecting Across the Lone Star State: Reflections from CHILDREN AT RISK’s Spring 2025 Texas Tour
This spring, CHILDREN AT RISK’s early childhood team had the incredible opportunity to connect with our early learning family across Texas! While virtual tours may not physically transport us to the stunning beauty of an East Texas wildflower patch or the vibrant hues of an El Paso sunset, they bring us face-to-face with the dedicated individuals shaping the future of early childhood education...
CHILDREN AT RISK Condemns Unlawful Deportation of U.S. Citizen Children
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CHILDREN AT RISK Condemns Unlawful Deportation of U.S. Citizen Children and Urges Immediate Federal Action Houston, TX — CHILDREN AT RISK, a non-partisan research and advocacy nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, expresses grave concern over recent reports of U.S. citizen children being deported alongside their undocumented parents without due...
Advocating in Support of H.B. 213
Mandi Kimball, Vice President & Chief Government Affairs Officer with CHILDREN AT RISK, testifies in support of H.B. 213 during the March 18, 2025 Texas House Committee on Public Education. HB 213 is a re-filed bill and passed this committee and the full House last session. Scope of the Problem In 2024 Children at Risk analyzed data obtained from the Texas Education Agency....
Advocating in Support of HB 3173/SB 1143
Caroline Roberts, Senior Director of Public Policy with CHILDREN AT RISK, testifies in support of HB 3173/ SB 1143 during the April 1, 2025 Texas House Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development Subcommittee on Workforce Hearing. House Bill 3173 would strengthen fiscal transparency, mandate strategic planning, and enhance workforce productivity and community engagement for Local...
Advocating in Support of SB 599/HB 4127
Kim Kofron, Senior Director of Education with CHILDREN AT RISK, testifies in support of SB 599/ HB 4127 during the March 11, 2025 Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee Hearing. As the name implies, family home child care is simply an individual Texan providing care in his or her – usually her – home. These small businesses provide working parents with smaller, more personalized care...
Advocating in Support of SB 941/HB541
Caroline Roberts, JD, General Counsel & Senior Director of Public Policy with CHILDREN AT RISK, testifies in support of SB 941/ HB 451 during the March 25, 2025 Texas House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee Hearing. Texas can do more to protect its children from human trafficking. Until Texas chooses to identify the children most vulnerable to human trafficking, it cannot...
Sign-On Letter in Support of SB 972/HB 2294
Kim Kofron, Senior Director of Education, testifies in support of SB 972/HB 2294 during the March 17, 2025 Senate Economic Development Committee Hearing. We, the undersigned early childhood professionals, educators, employers, parents, and advocates, urge you to support SB 972 (Zaffirini)/HB 2294 (Thompson) to address the critical child care crisis impacting Texas families and our economy....
C@R Hosts State of Disconnection Legislative Briefing on Public Education
A State of Disconnection C@R Hosts Legislative Briefing to address challenges in public education and youth disconnectionOn Friday, November 15th, CHILDREN AT RISK hosted a Legislative Briefing at the Texas Capitol to address two critical challenges facing Texas youth: Youth Disengagement (specifically Opportunity Youth & Young Adults or OYYA) and Chronic Absenteeism. This engaging...
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