Accomplishment Highlights

2010

• Formation of the TECEC Child Care Subsidies Work Group that created 10 public policy recommendations on how to reform the Texas child care subsidy system in 2011.
• Testifying before the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development and Workforce related to the interim charge on the child care subsidy system.
• The formation of the TECEC Legislative Agenda for 2011.
• Hosting several statewide events, including the 2010 Early Childhood Professional Development Summit and the Texas School Ready! Summit.
• Publication of several opinion-editorials in newspapers across Texas such as the Austin American-Statesman and the San Antonio Express-News.
• Creation of the Texas Home Visitation Coalition.
• Working tirelessly with our members and partners to ensure one strong voice for early childhood development and education in Texas.

2009

• Secured more than $69 Million for child care, Head Start, and public school pre-k.
• Improved early education policies, including increased child care training hours, Head Start technology discounts, pre-k eligibility notification, and more.
• Hosted the Texas Leadership Summit on Early Education to engage business leaders throughout Texas in the importance of investing early in the lives of children.
• TECEC members participated at unprecedented levels in advocacy activities: nearly 1,000 advocates attended Pre-k Day at the Capitol, and TECEC members sent over 20,000 emails in support of high-quality early care and education to Texas and Federal representatives.
• Published "Community-Based School Readiness Integration Partnerships: Promoting Sustainable Collaborations, " a step-by-step guide to successful and sustainable collaborations in early care and education.

2008

• Instrumental in the passage of House interim study charges related to early care and education.
• Launched “Year of the Parent” statewide public awareness campaign.
• Conducted three major Texas-specific studies, accompanied by detailed written reports.
• Launched monthly “Through the Eyes” public awareness campaign.
• Launched “Talk of Texas” series, capturing in-depth pictures of early education in various Texas communities.
• Created an online database of relevant early care and education articles and reports.
• Added a full-time Communications Coordinator to join the TECEC team.

2007

• Added a full time Director of Research & Public Policy to join the TECEC team.
• Implemented cutting edge e-communications software.
• Organized a “Pre-k Day at the Texas Capitol,” which brought hundreds of stakeholders to Austin.
• Played a key role during the 80th Legislative Session in tracking 50 early education bills, securing funding to expand the TEEM model, to support reimbursement rates paid to child care providers who offer quality services, and professional development opportunities for individuals working with young children, as well as, expanding pre-k eligibility to foster care children.

2006

• Partnered with the Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University to conduct a cost benefit analysis of investing in high quality pre-k in Texas.
• Coordinated the Pre-k Now National Satellite Broadcast in 37 Texas communities in which Texas was one of three states highlighted for its work. Texas represented at least 30% of the participation nationally.
• Hosted a Texas Satellite Broadcast to launch the TECEC legislative agenda.
• Launched a “monthly theme” statewide public awareness campaign.

2005

• Played a key role in the passage of three major bills during the 79th Legislature including Senate Bill 23 to expand the TEEM model, House Bill 2808 to develop a report of early education funding, and House Bill 2048 to create an online tool to help families access early education programs.
• Hosted a statewide strategic planning meeting to identify priorities for the 80th Legisaltive Session.
• Coordinated the Pre-k Now National Satellite Conference in 20 Texas communities.
• Disseminated Edition 2 of The Texas Plan.

2004

• Co-organized with the Baker Institute for Public Policy a statewide summit at Rice University to introduce Edition 1 of The Texas Plan and vet policy proposals with leaders in the field at the national, state, and local levels.
• Conducted community forum tour of 6 Texas cities reaching more than 230 individuals to discuss the policy recommendations included in The Texas Plan.
• Provided approximately 40 presentations in communities at the national, state, and local levels.

2003

• Played a key role in the passage of two major bills during the 78th Legislature, including Senate Bill 76, which created the nationally recognized Texas Early Education Model (TEEM).
• Formed partnership with the Texas Program for Society and Health at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University in order to develop a ten-year public policy agenda, The Texas Plan.