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 below to watch hearing recordings and learn more about the bills we’re supporting. Don’t forget to visit our Advocacy Action Center to find all of our legislative resources and follow us on Twitter @childrenatrisk for #txlege updates.
Testimony: Early Childhood Education
Testimony: Human Trafficking
Chronic Absenteeism In Texas Schools
COVID-19 Related Child Care Closures
Be a Champion for Children!
The past year has brought many of Children at Risk’s advocacy areas to the limelight. While we are glad to see issues like food insecurity, public education, and racial equity get the attention they deserve, we know our state has a long way to go.
Now is the time to speak out and drive systems change to improve the quality of life for ALL Texas children. Our work is more necessary than ever, but we need your help to keep it going! When you join our Champions for Children program by becoming a monthly donor you sustain our advocacy efforts for children this session and beyond.
Champion for Children Bonnie Moore shares why she supports Children at Risk as a monthly donor. Join Bonnie in giving millions of Texas children a voice today!
With your support Children at Risk can identify the root causes of child poverty, develop bi-partisan policy solutions, and advocate for policies that serve all 7.3 million children that call Texas Home!
Speaking Out for Children at the Texas 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 trauma linked to unaccompanied children, and how best to support them.
Watch a recording of the roundtable discussion (originally aired on Facebook on March 25, 2021) via the button to the right.
Thank You, American International Group!
We at Children at Risk are grateful to have such a great long-term partner and supporter of our education initiatives in American International Group, Inc. (AIG). Thank You, AIG, for continuing to support C@R in 2021 as sponsors of our annual STEM Luncheon, our new Racial Equity in the Texas Early Education Workforce event scheduled for November, and our fall fundraising events. Including the $30,000 pledged in 2021, AIG has gifted more than $600,000 to Children at Risk over the history of our partnership.
In addition to their generous financial contributions, AIG leaders and volunteers have supported C@R by providing their valuable insights and unique talents. AIG’s Vice President of Internal Consulting for AIG Life and Retirement, Jason Durham, currently serves on C@R’s Governing Board. Jason’s leadership has been instrumental to the success and long-term sustainability of C@R, lending his expertise as a member of the Board Executive Team, serving on the Finance Committee, and Co-Chairing a Marketing and Communications Taskforce throughout 2020.
The AIG team showed up in force to support Children at Risk at our 2019 Big Brunch: A Bridge to the Future.
Thank you, Jason and AIG, for all you do to support Children at Risk and drive change for Texas children and families!
Save the Date!
April 21 – Inequities in Texas Border Communities: A Public Health Summit
Join Children at Risk, The Texas Family Leadership Council, and the UT School of Public Health on April 21st for a public health summit highlighting the unique challenges plaguing Texas Border Communities. Experts in food inequity, education, and infectious diseases will discuss public policy solutions and how our state and federal leaders can take action.
We’re Hiring!
Children at Risk is searching for experienced researchers and child advocates to join our growing team. Click the links below to learn more about the roles we’re looking to fill.
- Associate Director, Early Childhood Education
- Director, Texas Racial Equity Collaborative
- Director of the Center for Social Measurement and Evaluation (CSME)
In addition to our staff roles, Children at Risk is currently accepting applications for our 2021 Summer internships. View our full list of openings via the button below.
Are you a Champion for Children?
For the 7.3 million children in Texas, you can be by giving a monthly recurring donation to Children at Risk.
MORE LIKE THIS
Experts Gathered to Discuss the Importance of Texas Mothers During May 5 Summit
Researchers and advocates gather to discuss federal and state policy implications maternal health outcomes, family planning, and economic justice at first-ever Texas Motherhood Summit.On May 5, Children at Risk and Texas Family Leadership Council (TXFLC) presented...
TREC Hosts Rapid Roundtable Centered on Immigration
Texas Racial Equity Collaborative (TREC) explores the intersection of the immigration and racial justice movements during June Rapid Roundtable discussion with advocates. CHILDREN AT RISK hosted its sixth Racial Equity Rapid Roundtable on June 22nd, a monthly...
C@R Celebrates Plyler V. Doe and DACA on June 15th
In 1982, the Court decided that “education has a fundamental role in maintaining the fabric of our society” and “provides the basic tools by which individuals might lead economically productive lives.” As the 40th anniversary of the ruling of Plyler v....
Access to Affordable High-Quality Child Care is Scarce
By Lauren Biegel, Early Childhood Education and Sara Moran, Center for Social Measurement and Evaluation (Note: The analyses in this post uses data on child care centers from September 2021) Across Texas, 60% of all child care providers accept subsidies – more than...
CHILDREN AT RISK Testifies to Texas House Committee on Child Care Priorities
On May 19, 2022, C@R Director of Education, Kim Kofron, provided testimony to the Texas House Committee on International Relations and Economic Development. The testimony shared data on child care closures: “Texas has lost 21% of child care providers from March 2020...
C@R Leads Learning Tour in Mexico City
In May, CHILDREN AT RISK hosted 20 guests in Mexico City for a human trafficking and immigration learning tour. The group spent a busy 4 days visiting with local organizations, touring cultural sites, and (of course) enjoying the food! The trip focused on exploring...
TREC Hosts Sixth Rapid Round Table Focused on the Quest for Equity & Quality
Dismantling the systemic barriers to provider participation in Texas’ QRIS and increasing access to high-quality ECE for children and families of color. Media Contact: Rashena Flagg, 713.301.4577 On Thursday, May 12, CHILDREN AT RISK and the Texas Racial Equity...
C@R Collaborates to Address Issues Impacting Spanish-Speaking Communities
C@R and Collaborators Share How to Talk to Your Children About the Dangers of the Internet Thank you to Univision and Idioma Mujer for your collaboration on this project! The quality of life of Texas children is of the utmost importance to CHILDREN AT RISK. We...