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The Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development (NRED) is expected to hear testimony on HB 2607 later this afternoon. Let the committee know you support this important early childhood education legislation TODAY!
About HB 2607 (Talarico I Button)/ SB 2087 (Lucio)
Child care is the small, silent engine that drives Texas businesses. If young children cannot access quality child care, much of our Texas workforce cannot return to work. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the essential role early learning and child care plays in our economy. Adequately Investing federal dollars to expand access to quality, affordable child care will positively impact our workforce, businesses, and Texas families for years to come.
In 2019, roughly 23% of subsidy providers were enrolled in the state’s quality rating and improvement program, Texas Rising Star (TRS), meaning only about 56,000 children were served daily by a TRS quality-rated program in a system that statewide serves 136,000 children. That is just 84 quality-rated subsidy seats per 1,000 children.
The current voluntary approach to participating in TRS is inadequate to meet the needs of working families and to ensure the effective expenditure of taxpayer dollars. To ensure that low-income children in publicly funded programs are getting the quality supports that benefit them, requiring subsidy providers to become Texas Rising Star certified will create transparency and accountability of government dollars, while simultaneously prioritizing quality and parental choice.
HB 2607 will require subsidy providers to participate in Texas Rising Star with a phase-in of the requirements and supports for providers to gradually improve quality. This bill DOES NOT increase state spending, but it does ensure existing federal dollars are spent more effectively.
Participation in TRS will provide increased supports to providers. To ensure a smooth transition for providers, a phase-in approach for the subsidy providers currently not participating in TRS is crucial. This approach will allow time to put support systems in place to assist providers. Under this model, providers will have access to a clear timeline, resources, and the professional support necessary to improve the quality of care provided to Texas children.
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development (NRED) is expected to hear testimony on HB 2607 later this afternoon. Let the committee know you support this important early childhood education legislation TODAY!
About HB 2607 (Talarico I Button)/ SB 2087 (Lucio)
Child care is the small, silent engine that drives Texas businesses. If young children cannot access quality child care, much of our Texas workforce cannot return to work. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the essential role early learning and child care plays in our economy. Adequately Investing federal dollars to expand access to quality, affordable child care will positively impact our workforce, businesses, and Texas families for years to come.
In 2019, roughly 23% of subsidy providers were enrolled in the state’s quality rating and improvement program, Texas Rising Star (TRS), meaning only about 56,000 children were served daily by a TRS quality-rated program in a system that statewide serves 136,000 children. That is just 84 quality-rated subsidy seats per 1,000 children.
The current voluntary approach to participating in TRS is inadequate to meet the needs of working families and to ensure the effective expenditure of taxpayer dollars. To ensure that low-income children in publicly funded programs are getting the quality supports that benefit them, requiring subsidy providers to become Texas Rising Star certified will create transparency and accountability of government dollars, while simultaneously prioritizing quality and parental choice.
HB 2607 will require subsidy providers to participate in Texas Rising Star with a phase-in of the requirements and supports for providers to gradually improve quality. This bill DOES NOT increase state spending, but it does ensure existing federal dollars are spent more effectively.
Participation in TRS will provide increased supports to providers. To ensure a smooth transition for providers, a phase-in approach for the subsidy providers currently not participating in TRS is crucial. This approach will allow time to put support systems in place to assist providers. Under this model, providers will have access to a clear timeline, resources, and the professional support necessary to improve the quality of care provided to Texas children.
Visit our Advocacy Action Center to find other bills in need of your support or consider sharing this form with your network via the buttons below.
Children at Risk advocates for public policies that improve the quality of life for all 7.3 Million Texas children. We work to ensure families are supported and children have the opportunity to grow to their full potential, but we need champions like you to keep us going!
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Visit our Advocacy Action Center to find other bills in need of your support or consider sharing this form with your network via the buttons below.
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