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1106 Clayton Lane, STE 111W   |   Austin, TX 78723   |   512.473.2274

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We drive policy change to improve the lives of Texas children today for a stronger Texas tomorrow.

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Bad News if You Support Healthy Kids, Healthy Moms, and Healthy Pregnancies: Texas Uninsured Rate Now Even Worse

The Texas uninsured rate is the highest in the nation and got even worse last year, according to new data released by the Census Bureau. 

While updated data on the uninsured rate for Texas children will not be available until September 26, the new Census data show the children’s uninsured rate is getting worse ([link removed]) nationwide, driven by a decline in enrollment in Children’s Medicaid/CHIP. 

After state legislators failed to pass any bills this year to reduce the uninsured rate, we are working to make health coverage for kids, new moms, and low-wage workers a priority for the next legislative session.

Read more here ([link removed]).

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Our Report Shows TX Schools Suspending Many Kids in Pre-k Through 2nd Grade — Though Out-of-Schools Suspensions Dropped

Suspending four-year-olds and other little kids is the opposite of improving behavior, and suspensions tell our youngest students that school isn't for them just as they are starting out their academic careers.

That's why we're concerned to see that Texas schools continued to suspend many students in pre-k through second grade during the 2017-18 school year.

The good news is that the bill that advocates and legislators passed in 2017 is working. Many school districts are cutting back on out-of-school suspensions in early grades and implementing effective strategies to improve behavior. In fact, after the release of our recent report, more school districts pledged to reduce suspensions for their youngest students.

Read more about our report findings and recommendations. ([link removed])

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A New Way the Legislature Can Support Teen Parents in Foster Care, Parents with Substance Use Disorders, and Other Texans

Preparing for the new federal Family First Act is going to be the big foster care issue for the Texas Legislature over the next two years.

But it also provides policymakers and advocates an opportunity to expand — and pay for — services that help strengthen families that are at risk of having their children removed by Child Protective Services.

Read more here ([link removed]).  

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Texas Children's Policy Roundup

Our Team in the News

Spectrum News: Report: Out-of-School Suspensions Drop Sharply After Texas Modifies Law ([link removed])

Dallas 

Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Suspensions for Texas' Youngest Have Dropped. But Thousands Still Kicked Out of Class. ([link removed])

Events, News, and Analysis from Other Voices

Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health: Pre-conference Event ([link removed]) and Conference ([link removed]) in Austin in November

Sharon Grigsby op-ed: Documentary Delivers Dire Message in Dallas: Make Child Care About Brain Building, Not Babysitting ([link removed])

Texas Public Radio: Pre-k 4 SA Participation Linked to Better Test Scores, Attendance Records ([link removed])

US News: New Safety Standards Aim to Improve the Quality of Hospital Maternal Care ([link removed])

Washington Post article about Austin ISD: "I Began Feeling Like I Mattered": How On-Campus Mental Health Counseling Can Make a Difference ([link removed])

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1106 Clayton Lane Suite 111W | Austin, TX 78723 US

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