November 2024

Texas PN-3 Newsletter

Greetings PN-3 Collaborative,

As we continue to prepare for the 89th Legislative Session, our focus remains centered on key advocacy priorities for Texas’ youngest children and families. We’re working diligently to ensure that these priorities are front and center in policy discussions, whether through testimony at interim hearings or direct engagement with legislators. Our commitment to shaping a stronger early childhood landscape is unwavering, and we’re using this time to fine-tune our strategies to make the greatest impact.

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Policy Priority Updates

Interim Charges & Continued Advocacy

During the interim between Texas Legislative Sessions, committees are assigned to study key issues. The Senate’s NRED Committee has been tasked with improving workforce productivity through child care access, while the House’s IRED Committee is charged with evaluating the state of early childhood education, including reviewing policies and barriers to programs like Child Care Services. 

Child Care Hearings at the Legislature

November 14, 2024 | Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development

Enhancing Workforce Productivity: Study ways to increase the state’s workforce productivity, including access to childcare. Make recommendations, within existing resources, to maintain childcare availability to support a growing workforce.

The Texas Workforce Is Resilient and Undervalued, Every Texan, August 12, 2024Access to Affordable High-Quality Child Care is Scarce, Children at Risk, May 1, 2024TX Legislature Can Help Families Access High-Quality Child Care, Texans Care for Children, September 2024

Get Involved

Home Visiting Programs Build Strong Texas Families.

Home visiting is a prevention strategy that brings trained staff to support expectant mothers and new families to promote positive parenting and child development, improve school readiness, and prevent child abuse and neglect. Learn more about Texas’ home visiting programs and how they strengthen Texas families.

HHSC Asking Legislature for Funding to Make Sure Medicaid Enrollment System Actually Works for Families.

For years, the state’s enrollment system for Medicaid health insurance and SNAP nutrition benefits has been plagued with problems. Because of outdated technology and an overreliance on manual processes, families’ applications run into backlogs and delays and the state agency has trouble implementing new eligibility policies. We’re thrilled to see that state health officials are asking the Texas Legislature for one-time funding to upgrade the system. This should be a top priority during the upcoming legislative session! 
Learn more from Texans Care for Children.

CHILDREN AT RISK Texas Tour: Two Stops Left!

CHILDREN AT RISK’s Early Childhood Texas Tour has been touring major cities across Texas to share the key findings from their new report, Paving the Way to Quality, and engage early childhood community stakeholders in conversations. They’re nearly at the end of this bi-annual tour, but there are still two stops left – RSVP today and join them on Nov 12 and 13th!