While Harris County is home to more than half a million children under age 9, it faces an ongoing childcare crisis. A vast majority of the county’s ZIP codes — 87% — don’t have enough childcare options, according to Children at Risk research.
This January, the nonprofit, known for its annual school rankings, will launch a new initiative called Strong Start, aiming to bring together elected officials, nonprofits, philanthropists, the Texas Workforce Commission and local childcare providers to address the urgent needs of Houston-area families. Its wide-ranging plan aims to support stronger quality ratings; training for providers; and a closer look at whether a ballot initiative is needed to boost local funding.
“It’s very clear that Harris County and the greater Houston area have a significant number of early childhood deserts,” said Bob Sanborn, chief executive officer of Children at Risk in an exclusive interview this week. “If you’re a parent and you decide you want to put your child in childcare, high quality childcare, so that you can work, we want to make sure that you have nice choices … that you don’t have to save up or wait till you can get a subsidy.”…