Greetings PN-3 Collaborative,
With the 89th Texas Legislative Session now behind us, this is a moment to reflect on the progress we made together and what it means moving forward. This month’s newsletter features a full recap of the session, including the most impactful legislative outcomes that affect early childhood education, maternal health, and family well-being across the state.
We are also examining how recent federal decisions are shaping the child care landscape here in Texas. These changes present both challenges and opportunities for providers, advocates, and families alike. As we enter the interim, our focus shifts to sustaining the momentum you helped build, equipping our community with the tools and information needed to stay engaged and continue pushing for policies that truly support young children and their caregivers.
Your advocacy throughout the session helped drive meaningful conversations and bold actions. As we prepare for the looming special session, Sunset Review, and interim period, we look forward to working with each of you to continue championing policy that looks out for our littlest Texans.
Policy Update
Breakdowns on the Outcomes of the 89th Texas Legislative Session
The recent Texas legislative session ended with important victories for Texas families, such as a new $100 million investment in child care, as well as disappointments and unfinished business. Read key breakdowns from C@R, Texans Care for Children, and TexProtects using the links below.
CHILDREN AT RISK’s Report
- Dives into multiple issues impacting children and families, ranging from early childhood to workforce development, health, and safety.
Texans Care for Children’s Report
- Breaks down key children’s issues from the session, including child care, pre-k, maternal health, children’s health coverage, ECI for toddlers with disabilities, foster care, children’s mental health and more.
TexProtects’ Report
- Explores key developments in public policy that will impact family strengthening resources, improve access to other key resources, supports informal kinship caregivers, preserves families, and protects children.
Congress Passed the Mega-Budget Bill. What Do the Cuts Mean for Texas Families?
We’re deeply concerned about the budget bill that Congress recently passed and the President signed. We want to take a moment to thank all of our partners who joined with us in speaking out against the proposed cuts in the bill over the last several months. The bill that passed is certainly bad news for kids and families across Texas — but we know it would have been even worse if we hadn’t raised our voices together.
To learn more about the ways the bill cuts Medicaid, ACA health insurance, and SNAP nutrition assistance, we encourage you to read the recent blog post from Texans Care for Children.
Get Involved
CHILDREN AT RISK’S EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SUMMIT | Seeds of Change: Cultivating Big Ideas for Little Learners
Thursday, August 14th at 10 AM CT | Virtual via Zoom
As we move into the interim period, Texas is presented with critical opportunities to strengthen how early childhood programs are governed and coordinated. With Sunset agency reviews underway, the newly established Governor’s Task Force on the Governance of Early Childhood Education and Care, and the Quad-Agency Child Care Initiative Commission bringing together TEA, HHSC, and TWC, this summit will provide a timely space to reflect on recent progress, explore upcoming shifts, and consider what’s needed to ensure high-quality care and education for all young Texans.