Texas Sunset Advisory Review Commission TWC Public Hearing
C@R Provides Testimony Focused on Opportunity Youth, Early Childhood, and Anti-Trafficking
August 12, 2026
CHILDREN AT RISK leaders Mandi Kimball and Kim Kofron provided public testimony before the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission during its August 12 public hearing on the Texas Workforce Commission. C@R appreciates the Sunset staff’s thoughtful review of TWC and its focus on accountability, local workforce board oversight, performance measurement, technology, and cross-system coordination. Across testimony addressing early childhood education, human trafficking survivors, and Opportunity Youth and Young Adults, C@R urged state leaders to build on those recommendations by creating stronger, more coordinated systems that help Texas children and families access opportunity and thrive.
CHILDREN AT RISK Recommendations and Testimony
Early Childhood Education & Child Care
Kim Kofron highlighted feedback from more than 1,300 respondents across all 28 Local Workforce Development Boards, 90 percent of whom were child care providers. Their priorities included unified governance, regulatory alignment, greater accountability, better technology, and simpler application and onboarding processes.
Opportunity Youth & Young Adults
Mandi Kimball called for stronger coordination for Texans ages 16 to 24 who are disconnected from school and work, also known as Opportunity Youth. Kimball’s recommendations included the adoption of a statewide strategy, the development of a formal cross-agency advisory structure, the creation of an Opportunity Youth Ombudsman, and the standardization of shared definitions and performance measures.
Human Trafficking Survivors & Workforce Access
Kimball also urged TWC to strengthen workforce pathways for survivors of human trafficking by establishing points of contact within Local Workforce Development Boards, reducing barriers to employment, and strengthening partnerships among workforce systems, community organizations, and employers.
Comprehensive Sunset Recommendations from Texas PN-3 Collaborative Partners
C@R and partner organizations also submitted broader recommendations focused on child care, family financial security, workforce development, Opportunity Youth, SNAP Employment & Training, and stronger coordination across state systems. Learn more about the Texas Prenatal-to-Three Collaborative.
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