WEATHER ALERT
A battered child care industry’s latest challenge? Competing for 4-year-olds.
Read full article: A battered child care industry’s latest challenge? Competing for 4-year-olds.A 2019 state law requiring schools to offer full-day pre-K is capturing child care’s most profitable customer base: 3- and 4-year-olds.
Texas counties, cities embrace new child care center tax credit even though few providers qualify
Read full article: Texas counties, cities embrace new child care center tax credit even though few providers qualifyChild care centers are struggling to make ends meet, and a new voter-approved tax credit is a first step toward boosting the flagging system, advocates say.
In the Texas Panhandle, a nonprofit is fighting rural child care deserts
Read full article: In the Texas Panhandle, a nonprofit is fighting rural child care desertsThe Amarillo Area Foundation is funding new day care facilities in Friona and Claude after the towns found that a shortage of child care is making it harder to fill job openings.
Some child care providers expect to shutter after Texas lawmakers leave $2.3 billion proposal off final budget
Read full article: Some child care providers expect to shutter after Texas lawmakers leave $2.3 billion proposal off final budgetFederal pandemic relief to hard-hit day care operators is drying up, forcing some providers to close.
In first session after Dobbs ruling, Texas lawmakers provide more support for pregnant and parenting college students
Read full article: In first session after Dobbs ruling, Texas lawmakers provide more support for pregnant and parenting college studentsNow that Texas has a near-total ban on abortion, lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle are trying to make sure colleges are serving students who are pregnant or have children.
Texas House votes to repeal sales tax on menstrual products and diapers
Read full article: Texas House votes to repeal sales tax on menstrual products and diapersThe bill, which Democrats have been pushing for years, has become a top priority after the overturn of Roe v. Wade. The Senate has already passed the bill, which would provide tax relief on the purchase of menstrual products, diapers and other child care necessities.
Lawmakers consider long-shot $2.3 billion proposal to keep struggling child care providers afloat
Read full article: Lawmakers consider long-shot $2.3 billion proposal to keep struggling child care providers afloatThree years after the COVID-19 pandemic upset the fragile child care industry, about a third of the state’s child care providers remain closed.
$48 million investment in funding for childcare in Harris County approved by commissioners court
Read full article: $48 million investment in funding for childcare in Harris County approved by commissioners courtJudge Lina Hidalgo will join Commissioner Garcia and community leaders Monday to unveil a proposed pilot program that aims to increase accessibility to high-quality childcare and early childhood development in Harris County.
‘Time is running out’: Hidalgo urges child care providers to apply for relief fund program before deadline
Read full article: ‘Time is running out’: Hidalgo urges child care providers to apply for relief fund program before deadlineHarris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is urging child care providers across the county to take advantage of millions in federal COVID-19 relief funds before time runs out. Hidalgo is holding the discussion after visiting a child care facility Tuesday afternoon.
Families are desperate for child care, but providers face a “roller coaster” trying to survive
Read full article: Families are desperate for child care, but providers face a “roller coaster” trying to surviveAlthough child care providers have mostly reopened, 8% have closed permanently since the start of the pandemic — and 57% of Texas counties still qualify as child care deserts.
Judge Lina Hidalgo announces $8M proposal to support early childhood programs
Read full article: Judge Lina Hidalgo announces $8M proposal to support early childhood programsJudge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioner Adrian Garcia held a press conference Tuesday morning to discuss a new proposal to invest $7.9 million in American Rescue Plan funds for early childhood programs.
Texas foster care children exposed to sexual abuse, given wrong medication and neglected in unlicensed placements, new report says
Read full article: Texas foster care children exposed to sexual abuse, given wrong medication and neglected in unlicensed placements, new report saysThe federal judge overseeing the decadelong lawsuit against Texas for conditions in its foster care system cut this week’s hearing short. She proposed all parties involved, including the governor, “cut to the chase” to identify solutions.
Colin Allred is the first known member of Congress to take paid paternity leave. Now he's pushing for it nationally.
Read full article: Colin Allred is the first known member of Congress to take paid paternity leave. Now he's pushing for it nationally.With COVID-19 making paid parental leave even more critical, the Dallas Democrat is helping lead the move to change federal policy for fathers as well as mothers.
Biden administration threatens to sue after Texas officials say they’ll yank licenses from facilities housing unaccompanied migrant children
Read full article: Biden administration threatens to sue after Texas officials say they’ll yank licenses from facilities housing unaccompanied migrant childrenA federal attorney claims an order from Gov. Greg Abbott violates the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and said legal action could follow if the state carries through with plans to pull licenses from the federally contracted facilities.