Our very own Lauren McKenzie will be testifying today on the importance of strengthening pre-k, supporting emergent bilingual learners, and ensuring children have enriching environments prior to pre-k. Learn more here: bit.ly/3B21ogH #txlege #txed

HAPPENING NOW: The Texas House Select Committee on Youth Health and Safety is meeting to evaluate HB 3, the state’s school safety bill. It’s been criticized for not offering enough funding, particularly for the requirement of having an officer at every campus. #txlege

Important points by David Lakey on how prevention of #mentalhealth concerns can come via supports not typically considered mental health interventions at all, such as evidence-based home visiting programs and other family-centered approaches. #TXlege Kate Murphy

Some hospitals and states are adopting less punitive approaches to drug testing pregnant women and newborns. One impetus for the shift; research showing that Black pregnant women are more likely to be tested: stateline.org/2024/09/18/sta… via Stateline

Think Child Care is Hard to Find? It’s Even Tougher for Children, Parents with Disabilities gao.gov/blog/think-chi…

Early readiness charge starting now! #txlege

Dr. Shannon Trejo from TEA tells the Senate Education Committee: "Kids who participated in pre-k did better in third grade, every time." #TXlege #TXed

Even as state mental health spending rises, private psychiatric hospitals struggle to stay open <--- New health and human services reporting from T.L. Langford! texastribune.org/2024/09/19/tex…

Great news! Texas faith leaders are calling on the Legislature to make child care funding a priority during the next legislative session. Details from Texas Impact: texasimpact.org/2025-2026-legi… #TXlege

Nearby states with better children's uninsured rates than Texas (11.9%): ✅Arizona (8.6%) ✅Arkansas (6.7%) ✅Louisiana (4.3%) ✅New Mexico (5.9%) ✅Oklahoma (7.5%) Kids in Texas are missing out on health insurance because of state policy decisions. The #txlege can fix that.

We spoke to folks across the country to learn how red states have stepped up to address the child care crisis. Updated our brief to include the $200M Florida lawmakers invested in 2024 to support their child care assistance program. #txlege Learn more: bit.ly/4ghTMXD