REGULAR MEETING OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2026, AT 9:00 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Early Childhood Council may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Caitlin Oliver, 512-972-6205, Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Choquette Hamilton, Chair Delphi Alvizo Brooke Freeland Cynthia McCollum Craig McNary Hilda Rivas AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Brianna Menard, Vice Chair Yvette Cárdenas Chloe Latham-Sikes Andrea McIllwain Alice Navarro Eliza Sears The first five speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Early Childhood Council Regular Meeting on January 14, 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Austin Independent School District (AISD) school closure and pre-K expansion plans. Presentation by Yvette Cárdenas, AISD Executive Director of Academic Programs, and Jeremy Martorell, Director of AISD Child Care & Apple Blossom Programs. 3. 4. 5. Impacts of the federal child care funding freeze and Governor Abbott’s letter to Texas Workforce Commission and Texas Health and Human Services regarding child care funding. Updates from Madison Mattise, Senior Director of Child Care Quality Initiatives, Workforce Solutions Capital Area. Fiscal year 2027 budget recommendations. Updates from the January Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) meeting. STAFF BRIEFINGS 6. Updates from related local early childhood groups such as Austin Chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, Success By 6 Coalition, Child Care Regulation, and Workforce Solutions Capital Area. Briefing by Caitlin Oliver, Austin Public Health. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Caitlin Oliver at Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov, to request …
Austin ISD Update City of Austin - Early Childhood Council Date: February 11, 2026 Presenters: Jeremy Martorell & Yvette Cárdenas 2025-26 Austin ISD Pre-K Enrollment Grade Eligible Tuition Total Pre-K3 1013 Pre-K4 2253 Total 3266 47 701 748 1060 2954 4014 Enrollment as of 02/09/2026 2025-26 PreK4 Full-Day Locations Allison Andrews Baldwin Baranoff Barrington Bear Creek Becker Blackshear Blanton Boone Clayton Cook Cowan Cunningham Davis Dawson Doss Galindo Govalle Graham Houston Jordan Joslin Kiker Kocurek Langford Linder Maplewood Mathews McBee Odom Ortega Overton Padrón Palm Patton St. Elmo Summitt Pre-K students served at other campuses: Sunset Valley Barton Hills (Zilker) T.A. Brown Blazier (Uphaus) Travis Heights Highland Park (Brentwood) Uphaus ECC Lee (Maplewood Pecan Springs Walnut Creek Perez Pickle Pillow Widén Williams Winn Montessori Brentwood Guerrero Thompson Menchaca Pleasant Hill Wooldridge Bryker Woods Campbell Casey Casis Gullett Harris Hart Hill Mills Norman-Sims Oak Hill Oak Springs Reilly Ridgetop Rodriguez Sanchez Wooten Zavala Zilker 2026-27 PreK4 Full-Day Locations Allison Andrews Baldwin Baranoff Bear Creek Blackshear Blanton Boone Cook Cowan Cunningham Davis Doss Galindo Govalle Graham Jordan Joslin Kiker Kocurek Langford Linder Maplewood Mathews Brentwood Guerrero Thompson McBee Bryker Woods Campbell Casey Casis Clayton Gullett Harris Hart Hill Houston Menchaca Mills Norman-Sims Rodriguez Oak Hill Odom Sanchez St. Elmo Ortega Overton Padrón Palm Patton Summitt T.A. Brown Pre-K students served at other campuses: Travis Heights Barton Hills (Zilker) Uphaus ECC Blazier (Uphaus) Walnut Creek Highland Park (Brentwood) Pecan Springs Williams Lee (Maplewood) Perez Pickle Pillow Pleasant Hill Reilly Wooldridge Wooten Zavala Zilker PreK3 Half-Day Locations 2025-2026 School Year (23) Proposed 2026-2027 School Year (20) Barrington Becker Blanton Boone Casey Cook Cunningham Dawson Kocurek Padron Patton Pecan Springs Perez Pillow Sunset Valley Travis Heights Uphaus Early Childhood Center Widén Williams Winn Montessori Wooldridge Wooten Zavala Blanton Boone Casey Pecan Springs Perez Pillow Cunningham (pilot) Travis Heights Uphaus Early Childhood Center Williams Wooldridge Wooten Zavala Galindo Graham Kocurek Odom Padron Patton Pickle PreK3 Full-Day Locations/Classrooms 2025-2026 School Year Proposed 2026-2027 School Year Full-Day Austin ISD Head Start: 8 Full Day Apple Blossom: 9 Full-Day Austin ISD Head Start: 8 Full Day Apple Blossom: 9 Guerrero Thompson Houston Jordan Langford Oak Springs Rodriguez Sanchez Uphaus Early Childhood Center Allison Andrews Guerrero Thompson Harris Houston Langford Norman-Sims Padrón St. Elmo Blackshear Guerrero Thompson Houston Jordan Langford Rodriguez Sanchez Uphaus Early Childhood Center Allison Andrews Guerrero Thompson Harris Houston Langford Norman-Sims Padrón St. Elmo Full Day Child …
MEMORANDUM To: City of Austin Early Childhood Council From: City of Austin Early Childhood Council Budget Workgroup Date: February 11, 2026 Re: Fiscal Year 2027 Draft Budget Recommendations for Current Early Childhood Investments WHEREAS, in the City of Austin, 30% of children under age 6 live in households with low income; and WHEREAS, 94% of the children in households with low income under age 6 are children of color; and WHEREAS, decades of research prove that disadvantages begin the moment children come into the world because children born into poverty and children of color are disproportionately born early, at low weight, or with chronic illnesses, and are less likely than their peers to be ready for, or successful at school; and WHEREAS, current City investments in early childhood programs align with the goals and strategies of the GenATX initiative from the Office of the Mayor; the recently launched Infrastructure Academy; Raising Travis County, the voter-approved fund to support increase access early care and education and to afterschool programming; and the Austin/Travis County Success By 6 Strategic Plan, a data-driven community strategic plan designed to build more efficient and coordinated systems for quality childcare and childhood experiences; and WHEREAS, these existing commitments rely on sustained partnerships through social service agreements with Austin area providers, experts, and educators that provide preventative support, saving public dollars and interventions over the long term; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin issued budget cuts of 10% across-the-board to social service agreements for FY 2026; and there is another $16 million in projected cuts to social service programs in FY 2027; additionally, federal, state, and local economic recovery funds invested in early childhood programs have concluded; and WHEREAS, there are over 6,500 children on the Child Care Scholarship Waitlist administered through Workforce Solutions Capital Area; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Early Childhood Council recommends that the City of Austin maintain all current investments, contracts, and maintenance agreements in early childhood programs and infrastructure, including but not limited to: ● Maintain funding for contracts related to services for families and children within Austin Public Health and Austin Economic Development, as detailed below. These contracted services provide targeted, proven preventive measures for families with young children, reducing the need for more costly interventions later. (List #1-10) ● Maintain funding for public service child care service contracts funded through Federal HUD- CDBG funds that support parenting teens …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2026, AT 9:00 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Early Childhood Council may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Caitlin Oliver, 512-972-6205, Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Choquette Hamilton, Chair Delphi Alvizo Brooke Freeland Cynthia McCollum Craig McNary Hilda Rivas AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Brianna Menard, Vice Chair Yvette Cárdenas Chloe Latham-Sikes Andrea McIllwain Alice Navarro Eliza Sears The first five speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Early Childhood Council Regular Meeting on November 14, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding Early Childhood Council bylaws revisions and updates from related local early childhood groups such as Austin Chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, Austin ISD, Success By 6 Coalition, Child Care Regulation, and Workforce Solutions Capital Area. Briefing by Caitlin Oliver, Austin Public Health. 3. City of Austin early childhood budget updates. Briefing by Cindy Gamez, Austin Economic Development, and staff from Austin Public Health. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation regarding the Infrastructure Academy’s goals and child care assistance. Presentation by Megan Fortson, Infrastructure Academy Senior Director, Workforce Solutions Capital Area, with updates from Ann Eaton, Austin Economic Development. 5. Updates from Hilda Rivas regarding the implementation of Raising Travis County. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. 7. 8. Possible action to appoint a fiscal year 2027 budget workgroup. Update from Alejandra Mireles, Austin Equity & Inclusion, regarding the final report of the quality-of-life study of Austin’s families with young children conducted by Decision Information Resources, Inc. (DIR). Possible ECC action to appoint a workgroup to guide next steps regarding report recommendations. Updates from the December Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) meeting and possible action to appoint an alternate member of the Early Childhood Council to serve on the JIC. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT …
MEMORANDUM To: From: Date: Mayor and City Council T.C. Broadnax, City Manager December 17, 2025 Subject: Social Services Funding Update The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information to the Mayor and City Council about the social services contract budget. During the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Process and Adoption, a re- allocation of social services was approved. Director Kerri Lang informed Mayor and City Council that we would need to reduce the social services budget in Economic Development, Municipal Court/Community Court, and Public Health by 10% and re-allocate Homeless Strategies and Operations by 4%. As part of this adjustment, limited resources will be aligned with Homeless Strategies and Operations to address immediate operational requirements, while maintaining a balanced and coordinated approach across the full continuum of social service investments. The total General Fund social services contract budget for FY26 is $74.2M. The total reallocation of social services contracts for FY26 is $5,277,003. Below is the breakdown by department: Department Name Economic Development Homeless Strategies & Operations Municipal Court/Austin Community Court Public Health Total Amount Reduced/Reallocated $451,859 $1,457,200 $629,565 $2,738,379 $5,277,003 The attached Social Services Contract List shows each department’s contract list including vendor, program/project name, the original funding amount, reduced funding amount, and the new contract amount. As we start the process for the FY27 Budget Process, we anticipate a $16.8 million reduction to the social services contract budget. In addition to the contracts included in the social services contracts budget, we will conduct an inventory of all contracts and grants across all departments that provide social or community Date: Subject: December 17, 2025 Social Services Funding Update services and are funded by departments through their operating budget. Our goal is to: • Have a centralized record of all City funding that supports social and community services in the City of Austin. • Determine if we have any duplication of service(s) and/or can realize efficiencies by merging similar agreements. • Review the performance measures and return on investments. • Identify services that can be funded by other taxing entities and partners. Staff will provide an update at the Public Health Committee meeting held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 10 a.m. We will begin our discussion with Mayor and City Council about the process for future potential reductions and have asked all council members to attend this meeting if their schedule will allow to start the discussion about priorities. …
Austin Infrastructure Academy Early Childhood Council Update MEGAN FORTSON, Senior Director, Austin Infrastructure Academy Megan.Fortson@wfscapitalarea.com 1 What is the Austin Infrastructure Academy (AIA)? AIA is a local coalition of partners in government, education, business, and the community working together to grow Austin’s workforce in construction, transportation, and other skilled trades. We connect local people to training and careers that power Austin’s growth—removing barriers so they can make a living, making Austin. What We Do: 1. Help employers find the workers they need 2. 3. Support people in building long-term careers Remove barriers like training costs, childcare, transportation, and gear 2 Austin Infrastructure Academy Stakeholders Job Seekers WFS CAPITAL AREA Convene and collaborate to build workforce INDUSTRY Inform skills needed & talent demand Austin Infrastructure Academy A local initiative that connects people to training and jobs in construction, transportation, and other skilled trades. EDUCATION/ TRAINING PROVIDERS Coordinate training the talent pipeline GOVERNMENT Align with city and county equitable growth goals COMMUNITY- BASED ORGS Enhance awareness and access to opportunity 3 Austin’s rapid expansion has sparked increased demand for new infrastructure development The rapid expansion of population and projects underscores the need for a robust Mobility + Infrastructure workforce, which can address Austin’s affordability challenges through good jobs and career pathways. Project Connect Airport & Convention Center Expansion IH-35 Expansion Samsung, Apple, Data Centers Tesla Gigafactory 4 Austin Infrastructure Academy Offerings Training Alignment Align training programs with in-demand skills and job sequencing, based on real- time needs identified by both job creators and job seekers Wraparound Services Offer childcare and other wraparound services to eliminate participation barriers Placement and Navigation Facilitate the matching of trained job seekers with job creators, improving navigation from training to job placement Recruitment Develop a robust, diverse talent pipeline with a recruitment focus on underserved Austinites Governance Set up a governance structure that reflects stakeholder input and ensures accountability to funders Impact and Evaluation Create an evaluation framework to assess the impact and outcomes of the Infrastructure Academy Sense of Belonging Establish a brand that fosters increased participation and funding while instilling a sense of belonging and pride 5 Child Care Support for Austin Infrastructure Academy Participants Training for your career shouldn’t mean choosing between work and family • Parents in Training/Earn-and-Learn/Job Placement Assistance are automatically eligible for child care assistance for 6 months • Funded by the Austin Infrastructure Academy via the City of Austin (No …
Update Quality of Life Study for Austin's Families with Young Children Early Childhood Council January 14, 2026 Alejandra Mireles Equity and Inclusion Program Coordinator Austin Equity and Inclusion – Equity Division Recap & Next Steps August 2025 October January 2026 March-May Data Collection Ends Vendors Update Departments Deliverables for Aging Workgroup Proofing Connecting and Communicating with Organizations (participating and non) Meet with Departments Launch Website AEI & Legal Proofing Deliverables Given for ECC and Women Studies Memo and Press Release for All Three Studies Commission Can Author Budget Recommendations Previous Drafts May be Shared November & December February Drafts Developed September Three Simultaneous Paths for Three Studies Insights from Partner Departments Publish Collaborate Commissions • Press Release & Temporary Website • Connect with Participants (past and new) • Launch Website • City Departments • Implementation • Update Website • Budget Recommendations • Communication to Council • Partner for Follow Up Questions and Gratitude Questions? More info: Alejandra Mireles alejandra.mireles@austintexas.gov 512-797-3375
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, January 14, 2026 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2026 The Early Childhood Council convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 301 West Second Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Hamilton called the Early Childhood Council Meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. Board Members in Attendance: Chair Hamilton and Members Alvizo, Cárdenas, Freeland, Latham-Sikes, McCollum, McIllwain, and McNary Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Members Navarro, Sears, and Rivas PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Early Child Council Regular Meeting on November 12, 2025. The minutes from the Early Childhood Council regular meeting on November 12, 2025, were approved on Member Navarro’s motion, Member Freeland’s second on a 9-0 vote. Members Alvizo and Sears were absent at time of the vote. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding Early Childhood Council bylaws revisions and updates from related local early childhood groups such as Austin Chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, Austin ISD, Success By 6 Coalition, Child Care Regulation, and Workforce Solutions Capital Area. Caitlin Oliver presented updates to the standard bylaw template for City boards and commissions and shared announcements from the Success By 6 Coalition about the January coalition meeting and from Child Care Regulation regarding updated forms for child care providers. Member Cárdenas, Austin ISD Executive Director of Academic Programs, gave an update regarding pre-K classrooms for the 2026-27 school year. 3. City of Austin early childhood budget updates. Briefing by Cindy Gamez, Austin Economic Development, and staff from Austin Public Health. 1 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Cindy Gamez, Austin Economic Development, and Laura LaFuente, Austin Public Health, presented an update on the 10% funding reductions made to the fiscal year 2026 social services contracts, referencing the City Manager’s December 17, 2025, social services funding update memo to City Council. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. 5. Presentation regarding the Infrastructure Academy’s goals and child care assistance. Presentation by Megan Fortson, Infrastructure Academy Senior Director, Workforce Solutions Capital Area, with updates from Ann Eaton, Austin Economic Development. Megan Fortson and Ann Eaton presented information on what the Austin Infrastructure Academy (AIA) is, its current offerings to trainees, its funding for child care support for participants, and the program’s impact. Members requested information regarding the demographics of the participants and more information about …
