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
Increase Networking Opportunities for Child Care Providers
This post highlights a policy recommendation from our new report, The Quest for Equity and Quality Examining Provider Experiences and Participation in Texas Rising Star. This report, released 4/4/22, explores data from a statewide survey and focus groups in which providers were asked about their experiences with Texas Rising Star. As providers were sharing their experiences with our TRS in the...
Allocate Additional Funding to Cover the Cost of Care and Provider Program Improvements
This post highlights a policy recommendation from our new report, The Quest for Equity and Quality Examining Provider Experiences and Participation in Texas Rising Star. This report, released 4/4/22, explores data from a statewide survey and focus groups in which providers were asked about their experiences with Texas Rising Star. In our focus groups conducted for our report, The Quest for...
Providing Equitable Supports and Mitigating Misconceptions for Providers
This post highlights a policy recommendation from our new report, The Quest for Equity and Quality Examining Provider Experiences and Participation in Texas Rising Star. This report, released 4/4/22, explores data from a statewide survey and focus groups in which providers were asked about their experiences with Texas Rising Star. Throughout the focus groups we conducted for our report, The...
Include a Holistic Assessment Approach in Texas Rising Star
This post highlights a policy recommendation from our new report, The Quest for Equity and Quality Examining Provider Experiences and Participation in Texas Rising Star. This report, released 4/4/22, explores data from a statewide survey and focus groups in which providers were asked about their experiences with Texas Rising Star. The last thing providers mentioned during the focus group was...
Increase Investments in the ECE Workforce
This post highlights a policy recommendation from our new report, The Quest for Equity and Quality Examining Provider Experiences and Participation in Texas Rising Star. This report, released 4/4/22, explores data from a statewide survey and focus groups in which providers were asked about their experiences with Texas Rising Star. ECE educators are one of the most important factors contributing...
CHILDREN AT RISK Releases 2021 Annual Report
Since 1989, CHILDREN AT RISK has helped children overcome the challenges of growing up. We know that kids are at risk for many different reasons, including poverty, abuse and neglect, discrimination, lack of quality education, or healthcare access. That’s why our work focuses on understanding the root causes of childhood poverty and inequity and advocating for better public policies so all Texas...
Economic Empowerment: A Path to Recovery for Survivors of Human Trafficking
By Lauren BiegelDiscussions around human trafficking are often focused on identifying victims and punishing their traffickers. Unfortunately, removing a victim from the situation in which they are being exploited is far from the end of the road to recovery and healing. While recovering from victimization is inherently difficult enough, compounding factors often make it even more so. Certain...
Accountability for Buyers in the Commercial Sex Market | Brief
Texas House Bill 1540 went into effect this September. The bill is a key component of the 'Texas Model' to combat commercial sex - and its associated harms including the fueling of sex trafficking - through strengthening buyer accountability. The bill makes solicitation of sex to a state felony on the first attempt, and law enforcement agencies across the state have already conducted major...
The Kids’ Case for Build Back Better: 5 Potential Wins for Texas Families
In the next few weeks, the US Senate is expected to vote on the Budget Reconciliation package (commonly referred to as "Build Back Better") which passed the House of Representatives on Nov. 19, 2021. The 1.9 trillion budget reconciliation packs in a number of groundbreaking policies and funding for government programs. While many of the details are still in flux and subject to change, the...
C@R Hosts HISD Trustee Candidate Forum
Elections for Trustees for the Houston Independent School District Board are this November! On October 21st, CHILDREN AT RISK hosted a virtual candidate forum. Watch the recording linked below to hear how they plan to address educational inequity, the challenges for both teachers and students because of the COVID pandemic, and addressing the needs of the diverse students in our district. All...
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