Two years ago today, on October 10, 2023, Harris County Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity’s Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN) was launched with a clear mission: to elevate the quality of early learning setting in Harris County through collaboration, innovation, and community investment. 

Today, as we mark this two-year anniversary, ELQN partners are reflecting on the progress made, and celebrating the connections that will strengthen providers, empower families, and equip children for decades to come.

What began as a bold pilot grounded in community voice has become a thriving network built on innovation and partnership. As of September 2025, ELQN partners have engaged 1,205 child care providers, 807 stakeholders, and 2,525 families, reaching a total of 4,537 individuals. This represents a remarkable 342% increase over its original goal of 1,027 individuals engaged.

What can’t be measured are the hours spent building infrastructure from the ground up, or the daily dedication of community liaisons going door to door to ensure families and providers are informed and included. ELQN’s success over the past two years is not an accident – it is the result of intentional collaboration, trust, and a shared passion for fostering community resilience.

In its first phase, Local Network Organizations (LNOs) worked alongside families, providers, and community leaders to develop Child Care Quality Action Plans (CCQAPs) for their neighborhoods. Together, they identified local needs, set priorities, and designed responsive strategies to improve early learning quality across 29 ZIP codes in Harris County.

Guided by these community-informed plans, ELQN began implementation of seven unique initiatives in 2025, procuring vendors who would help turn ideas into action through targeted investments and countywide coordination. Today, ELQN’s reach extends through these initiatives, each uniquely designed to strengthen the early learning ecosystem from multiple angles:

1. Training & Professional Development – Building the skills and confidence of early educators and families through coaching and capacity building.
2. Emergency & Temporary Care – Supporting families and providers in times of crisis to ensure continuity in care.
3. Technology for Child Care Providers – Improving operational and instructional capacity in centers through modern tools and digital upgrades.
4. Technology for Households – Bridging the digital divide by providing families with learning technology and training.
5. Curriculum & Learning Materials – Enhancing instruction through developmentally appropriate, bilingual, and culturally responsive materials.
6. Early Learning Kits & Materials – Delivering hands-on resources that promote literacy and learning at home.
7. Facility, Safety & Security – Strengthening child care environments through physical improvements and safety enhancements.

Funded by $16.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds approved by Harris County Commissioners Court in 2023, ELQN’s initiatives continue to create lasting infrastructure and opportunity for early learning across the region.

As this work continues to evolve, ELQN’s goal remains constant: to build a Harris County where every child, regardless of care setting, has access to safe, high-quality early learning that empowers both their present and future success.

Reaching this milestone is a collective achievement made possible by the dedication of our partners: East Harris County Empowerment Council, Harris County Public Library, VN TeamWork, Inc., YMCA of Greater Houston, Rupani Foundation USA, Frog Street, Easter Seals of Greater Houston, Collaborative for Children, National Literacy Institute, Neighborhood Schools, and WorkTexas!.

Together with Harris County’s Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity, CHILDREN AT RISK, and countless educators, advocates, and families, ELQN is proving what can happen when innovation meets collaboration. 

While the work continues through 2026, this milestone moment, and the progress made to date, shows that innovation and collaboration can not only empower communities but truly transform them for generations to come.