Early Childhood, Press Releases
Peter Clark
Statement on Gov. Abbott Opening Child Care

State must closely monitor health concerns and provide federal funds to providers

Statement on Gov. Abbott Opening Child Care
Blog, Child Health
Peter Clark
Over a Million Texans May Lose Insurance Under ...

By now, we all know that Monday’s CBO report estimated that the Senate health care bill ("BCRA") will increase the number of uninsured Americans by 22 million. And now we’re starting to see some estimates of what that would look like in Texas.

Early Childhood, Blog
Texans Care for Children
Local Research on Texas Pre-k Grants Provides ...

Districts urged the Legislature to provide adequate and predicable funding for boosting pre-k quality.

Early Childhood, Testimony
Andrea Brauer
Sunset Advisory Commission Report of the Texas ...

Testimony to the Sunset Advisory Commission

Texans Care for Children, among other suggestions, recommends Establishing an Office of Learning at the Texas Education Agency.

Op-Eds

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Legislature Must Build On Children's Health Coverage Progress

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When it comes to making our state healthier, a new report shows that we really can make progress when we roll up our sleeves and get to work -- and that we still have more work to do here in Texas.

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Statewide Approach Needed for Children's Mental Health

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We commend Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus for launching a new select committee to examine early identification and treatment of Texans' mental health needs. By setting the stage for action during the 2017 legislative session, the committee can ensure more Texans have the support they need to succeed in our communities, avoiding the hardship and taxpayer expenses that result from waiting until mental health challenges become an emergency.

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Lawmakers Call for Improving Support for Kids in Foster Care

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Now that the state has improve the safety measures on the front end of foster care, we need to apply that same focus to improving support receive during and their placement in foster care. Fortunately, the Speaker and Lt. Governor directed legislative committees to address services in foster care in preparation for next session.

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Health Agency Consolidation Can Succeed — With Support

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During the recent legislative session, state lawmakers gave our health and human services agencies the difficult task of consolidating several departments and services. While we expressed our concerns about the consolidation plan during the legislative session, it's now time for us all to work together to make it as successful as possible. 

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Pushback on Cuts Underscores Support For Early Intervention

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Meredith is one of many Texas children who has benefited from the state's Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program. This past session the state Legislature put in motion a broad range of cuts that would reduce the resources available for children helped by ECI, as well as other Texas children in need.

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New Breastfeeding Law Is Good News for Texas Babies

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The premise behind a new state law is simple: Texas mothers shouldn't have to choose between their job and breastfeeding their child. That's the dilemma that Anna Johnson-Smith, an experienced kindergarten teacher in a school district outside Waco, faced with when she had her baby in 2012.

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Early Childhood Assistance Should Be a Priority

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The recent bipartisan reaction against proposed cuts to acute care therapy services for children with disabilities illustrates a growing recognition that children's first few years shape the rest of their lives and should be a priority.

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Laws Address Mental Health Woes at School

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Millions of Texas public school students have headed back to class, starting a school year that we hope will put each of them on track to reach their potential and continue our state's prosperity into the next generation. Many will have a better chance of succeeding now that the Texas Legislature has passed a number of bipartisan bills recognizing that backpacks and school supplies aren't the only things students bring with them to school.

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Children Need Support Before They Reach Crisis

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Texas lawmakers took important steps last session to protect children after a crisis in their lives becomes evident, but made little progress in keeping Texas kids out of these situations.

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Despite Fryer Rules, Schools Must be Part of Obesity Strategy

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While children are at school, and parents are not there to encourage them to take veggies over fries or milk over soda, they rely on schools to be a good partner in steering their children toward healthy choices.