Texas Family Leadership Council

Coming Together for Texas Children

The Texas Family Leadership Council is made up of child and family-focused organizations, community leaders, and influencers from across the state. TXFLC members come together to share information and resources to improve the quality of life for Texas children. TXFLC working groups tackle the most pressing issues facing families in our state by evaluating policy solutions and developing a united advocacy agenda. 

Interested in Joining?

Contact Lindsey Wilkerson at  lwilkerson@childrenatrisk.org to learn more. 

Knowing that Texas nonprofits would need access to information and coordinated support to serve children and families effectively during the COVID-19 crisis, CHILDREN AT RISK launched the Texas Family Leadership Council (TXFLC) early into the pandemic. Utilizing our trusted relationships with community partners and experience coordinating collective action in previous times of crisis, C@R brought together powerful and diverse voices of child-serving organizations from across Texas for cross-sector collaboration, information sharing, and to develop a united advocacy front.

Since its inception, the Council has grown to include 100+ participants. TXFLC membership consists of child and family-focused organizations, community leaders, and influencers from across the state. TXFLC weekly meetings have hosted state leaders, including legislators and TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, and established working groups on racial equity, immigrant health, COVID-19 research, and more. TXFLC members have supported more than a dozen virtual events, webinars, and press conferences.

TXFLC members are committed to ensuring the collective efforts to support Texas families are effective and build the momentum necessary to help our most vulnerable children. 

THE Latest from TXFLC

CHILDREN AT RISK and Texas Family Leadership Council Host Second Annual Motherhood Summit

Last month, the Texas Family Leadership Council and CHILDREN AT RISK hosted the second annual Motherhood Summit. The summit explored some of the most pressing issues facing Texas mothers and how these issues affect not just themselves, but their children and families as well.  Dr. Elizabeth Gregory, Taylor Professor and Director of the Institute for Research on Women and Gender and Sexuality at...

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CHILDREN AT RISK and Texas Family Leadership Council Host Third Annual State of Black Children in Texas

On Thursday, February 16, the Texas Family Leadership Council and CHILDREN AT RISK hosted the third annual State of Black Children in Texas summit. The summit explored the challenges Black children face growing up in Texas and how to best support them at all stages of development.    Sharon Watkins Jones and Amanda McMillian, President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Houston got the...

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CHILDREN AT RISK Releases 2022 Annual Report

2022 was a year of huge growth for CHILDREN AT RISK, both in our work and as an agency! In addition to our main office in Houston, we are proud to report C@R now has multiple staff members based in North Texas, Central Texas, and El Paso. Having this statewide representation allows us to better respond to local issues while continuing to strengthen our cross-state collaborations to reduce the...

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C@R and Partners Present Third National Immigration Summit

This year, national advocates explored child-forward immigration policies, access to basic needs and mental health resources, education equity, and how to shift the narrative surrounding immigrants and immigration.On June 23, 2022, CHILDREN AT RISK  hosted their third annual National Immigration Summit to explore the challenges that immigrant children and their families face. Again convening...

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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 their first ever Texas Motherhood Summit to celebrate motherhood and unpack public policies lifting them up or bringing them...

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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 discussion of racial inequities experienced by Texas children and their families. Each month, speakers will discuss pervasive issues and...

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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 Collaborative (TREC) hosted the sixth in a series of monthly roundtables centered on racial equities experienced by Texas children and...

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Thought Leaders Convene for Second-Annual Border Health Summit

EXPERTS gathered to explore the INNOVATIVE PRACTICES AND UNIQuE HEALTH CHALLENGES IN THE TEXAS BORDERLANDS DURING APRIL 7 SUMMIT While the health challenges impacting the Borderlands are many, the strong sense of collaboration within the region has created unique opportunities for border communities to innovate and continue improving in the health sector. On April 7, Children at Risk and Texas...

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Rapid Roundtable ǀ TREC Hosts Conversation Centered on Health Equity and Access in the Texas-Mexico Border Region

On Wednesday, April 6, CHILDREN AT RISK and the Texas Racial Equity Collaborative (TREC) hosted the fifth in a series of monthly roundtables centered on racial equities experienced by Texas children and their families.  Each month, speakers discuss pervasive issues and trends impacting historically marginalized communities, such as how African American and Hispanic communities suffered higher...

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TXFLC WORKGROUPS:

TEXAS RACIAL EQUITY COLLABORATIVE (TREC): TREC is a consortium of individuals representing various organizations working together to combat racial disparities in all sectors of Texas life.

TEXAS IMMIGRATION NETWORK (TIN): TIN brings together pediatricians, attorneys, educators, among others to work together to address the needs of immigrant children.

PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY WORKGROUP (PPAC): PPAC engages on common legislative items that will improve the status of children. PPAC also helps provide advocacy tools and support to organizations without policy or governmental affairs positions.

HEALTH ADVISORY WORKGROUP: The Health Advisory Council is a coalition of members who are passionate about the health and wellness of Texas children. This group brings together health care professionals and public advocates to identify whole-child policy solutions.

TEXAS ANTI-POVERTY AGENDA (TAPA): According to the most recent pre-pandemic data, Texas ranks 40th in the country with a child poverty rate of 19%. TAPA members agree that child poverty is the root cause of numerous societal issues for our state. Their efforts focus on evidence-based policies to significantly reduce child poverty so children have a meaningful opportunity to thrive.