May brings a renewed sense of focus for the Texas PN-3 Collaborative. As partners continue moving from shared learning to coordinated action, we are sharpening recommendations, elevating what families and providers need, and keeping young children at the center of state decision-making. With the Sunset review process still underway, our collective work remains rooted in a clear goal: building stronger systems so Texas families can thrive from the very beginning.
Read our recommendations for the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission.
Policy Advocacy
FEDERAL UPDATE
Health and Human Services Proposes Changes to Head Start Rule
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has proposed rolling back portions of the 2024 Head Start rule related to educator wages and benefits. The proposal would remove requirements for programs to offer compensation comparable to public school salaries and benefits, with ACF stating the change would provide greater flexibility for grantees, reduce administrative burden, and potentially save programs an estimated $2.1 billion annually.
Public comments are due on or before June 11, 2026.
Learn more from EdCounsel: Head Start Notice of Proposed Rule Making.
CHILDREN AT RISK
Insights from C@R’s Spring 2026 Early Childhood Texas Tour
Last month, CHILDREN AT RISK virtually traveled across the vast landscape of Texas, visiting 12 diverse cities to listen, learn, and engage with the people who power our child care system. From the Panhandle to the Valley, the message was clear and consistent: child care is the backbone of the Texas economy, but that backbone continues to be placed under significant strain.
TEXANS CARE FOR CHILDREN
Texas Women Enrolling in Medicaid Face Prenatal Care Delays
Prenatal care is one of the most important tools we have to support healthy pregnancies, healthy moms, and healthy babies. Unfortunately, Texas women signing up for Medicaid health insurance when they are pregnant face a number of barriers to starting prenatal care on time. For example, new data published by Texans Care for Children shows that over the last year, 40,000 pregnant Texas women waited more than a month for the state to process their applications for Medicaid health insurance — delaying their access to prenatal care.
Read the Texans Care for Children analysis or the recent KERA article for more details.
TEXANS CARE FOR CHILDREN
Ways to Speak Up About Early Learning Governance in Texas
There are several important opportunities for families, teachers, advocates, and other Texans to help shape the direction of the state’s approach to early learning! Visit the Texans Care for Children website for the latest update on the Governor’s Task Force on Early Learning Governance, the development of the state’s Strategic Plan for Young Children with Disabilities, and more.
Get Involved
CHILDREN AT RISK
Seeds of Change: 2026 Early Childhood Education Summit
Thursday, June 11 at 10 AM CT | Virtual via Zoom
CHILDREN AT RISK will convene a multi-sector conversation focused on the well-being of young children and the interconnected factors that shape their development. This year’s virtual summit will bring together experts to explore the many dimensions of early childhood, including access to high-quality child care, culturally informed supports for children with diverse needs, and the broader conditions that shape family’s mental and physical well-being, food security, and federal policy. Discussions will highlight how systems intersect while exploring solutions to ensure every young child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
TEXPROTECTS
Registration now open! From Central Texas to the Capitol
Wednesday, June 10
TexProtects invites Austin-area partners and stakeholders to from Central Texas to the Capitol. As Texas prepares for the 90th Legislative Session, this convening offers a critical opportunity for local service providers, partners and community leaders to share their voices and discuss upcoming decisions impacting communities. Participants will engage in facilitated discussions to elevate local priorities and help inform Texprotects’ prevention-focused policy agenda.
Recommendations for the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission
Texas PN-3 Collaborative Partners
Read our Collaborative Recommendations to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission
Texas PN-3 Collaborative has engaged community members and stakeholders across the state to ensure the diverse needs of Texas families are addressed through this unique cycle. Together, we have selected three distinct strategies of policy recommendations for the Texas Sunset Commission to consider ahead of the 90th Texas Legislature.
Read Texas PN-3 Collaborative’s recommendations
The PN-3 Collaborative is a partnership between CHILDREN AT RISK, TexProtects, and Texans Care for Children. We have partnered to lead a strategic state legislative agenda that aligns with and enhances efforts across the state to assure Texas infants, toddlers, and their families get off to the strongest start. CHILDREN AT RISK is managing administrative support for the PN-3 Collaborative.