Dear Friends of TECEC,

As a valued partner in promoting excellent early childhood education for Texas children, we want you to know of some changes to TECEC's structure. As you may remember, we began our advocacy work back in 2003. In less than a decade, we have worked alongside our members and partners to accomplish the following:

• More than $125 million dedicated by the Texas Legislature to early education;
• More than two dozen bills passed to improve the quality and safety of early education;
• Partnerships with the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University and the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University; and
• A bipartisan movement that ensures solid support from diverse leaders.

Recently, TECEC received a grant from the Houston Endowment to strategize its next best steps in terms of sustaining the work of the organization. With 10 years of incredible success behind us, we wanted to make sure the coalition was as strong as possible in order to achieve another decade of success for young children. The recommendation that came out of that process was for us to formally dissolve as an organization and transition the coordination of the coalition to another state-level entity involved in legislative advocacy work that has a similar mission and goals.

I am excited to report that in June of this year, Texans Care for Children will assume responsibilities for supporting and coordinating the coalition, as we continue to work on behalf of young children. I look forward to continuing to serve this coalition and lead this vital work so we can continue preparations for the 83rd Legislative Session set to begin in just a few short months. We anticipate that this transition will be virtually seamless with no interruption or change of focus or intent. This transition holds only positives for the future of the work we began at TECEC.

Our sincere thanks for your past and future work with us,

Kara Johnson
President and CEO
Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition