Across the country, #childcare providers are experiencing wage-driven hiring challenges. CSCCE at UC Berkeley recently published a guide listing actions legislators can take to ease the workforce crisis. The main takeaway? Invest in & reform compensation practices. cscce.berkeley.edu/publications/f…

54 years ago today: With PBS’ funding facing a 50% cut, Fred Rogers appeared before a US Senate subcommittee - chaired by a skeptical John O. Pastore. Six minutes later, PBS had its full funding.

Last chance for this Legislature to help Texas parents who can't find the affordable, high-quality child care they need so they can go to work. texastribune.org/2023/05/09/tex… #TXlege

A Harvard professor focused on the future of work says college degrees are becoming less important in the workplace than the social and executive functioning skills mastered (or not) during the years of early childhood. fortune.com/2023/06/03/ear…

Our nation’s care infrastructure is broken. The Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book reports that in 2020-21, 12% of Texas children under five lived in families in which someone quit, changed, or refused a job because of problems with child care. - Coda Rayo-Garza, PhD everytexan.org/2023/06/14/aec…

Families are struggling to work and afford #childcare. 17% of Black and 16% of Latino kids 5 and under lived with a family member who had to quit, change, or refuse a job because of child care issues in 2021, per data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation axios.com/2023/06/15/chi…

BUDGET UPDATE: Make your voice heard! With the budget season upon us, now is the time to voice your priorities and let us know what you want to see funded in the city’s next budget cycle! The first budget community input session will be Wednesday, July 26th starting at 10am.(1/2)

Texas parents & child care providers are in trouble. With federal pandemic relief funding ending for child care — and the Legislature nixing a plan to keep the funding going — affordable, quality child care is disappearing. Texas Tribune article: bit.ly/44VGKZI #TXlege

I'm working on a story for KUT Austin about how child care providers will be affected when pandemic relief funds expire. If you have young children and are expecting child care to be more expensive or harder to find and you're open to an interview, email me! I'm at [email protected]

Early Matters Greater Austin was proud to support a recent episode of Lemonada Media's No One Is Coming to Save Us about how Texas is tackling the child care shortage. We have a long way to go but you can hear some bright spots here: tinyurl.com/2ua55e5u. #txed Vanessa Fuentes 💃🏽

Shout out to Vanessa Fuentes 💃🏽 and Mayor Kirk Watson for pushing Austin businesses to think about child care for their employees. Early Matters Greater Austin austinmonitor.com/stories/2023/0…

Opinion: NH Legislature invests in our youngest learners, but there’s still much to do concordmonitor.com/My-Turn-NH-Leg…

The statewide tours and press conferences for Prop 2 officially kicked off yesterday down in the RGV! Click here childrenatrisk.org/fall23txtours/ to learn when the ECE team will be in your city! Pol.Ad.by.TexansforProp2 #VoteForKidsTX #VoteForProp2

🧵Wow! What an incredible turnout in the Permian Basin of people who are or support the crucial child care industry our Texas economy relies on!

This Halloween, don't be spooked by long lines on Election Day! Early voting is the treat that ensures your voice is heard. Cast your vote early and make your mark on our democracy. pol.ad.by.TexansforProp2 #VoteforKidsTX #VoteforProp2

Over 20% of child care providers closed during the pandemic. We can't let this continue! Learn how Prop 2 can make a difference for child care providers and working parents at texansforprop2.org and make sure you CAST YOUR VOTE! pol.ad.by.TexansForProp2

Thank you to my co-sponsors Vanessa Fuentes 💃🏽, Council Member José Velásquez, Ryan Alter, Council Member Chito Vela, @LesliePoolATX & Council Member Zo Qadri, District 9 & our partners United Way for Greater Austin, Early Matters Greater Austin, Go Austin/Vamos Austin (GAVA), Austin LGBT Chamber, Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce & Texas Restaurant Association for championing access to #childcare. #Prop2ForTinyTexans

Tbh this Mencken quote could apply to a lot of would-be child care solutions, too.

Special thanks to our community partners and co-sponsors for bringing this initiative to life! United Way for Greater Austin Early Matters Greater Austin Go Austin/Vamos Austin (GAVA) Austin LGBT Chamber Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce Texas Restaurant Association Council Member José Velásquez Ryan Alter Council Member Chito Vela @LesliePoolATX Council Member Zo Qadri, District 9

Join us for the annual Week of the Young Child! Let's honor our youngest learners, their families, educators & the importance of early childhood education. Find resources like school + home activities, book lists + more: texasaeyc.org/get-involved/w… TXAEYC #WOYC24 #TXWOYC24