REGULAR MEETING OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 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 February 11, 2026. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve a recommendation to City Council to maintain early childhood investments in the fiscal year 2027 budget. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Presentation from Communities in Schools of Central Texas (CIS) about the ASPIRE Program and the results from an economic mobility study released by Harvard EdRedesign. Presentation by Lauren Woods, CIS Chief Student Success Officer. Pre-K enrollment and classroom updates from Yvette Cárdenas, Austin Independent School District (AISD) Executive Director of Academic Programs. Raising Travis County implementation updates from Hilda Rivas, Travis County Health & Human Services Research & Planning Division Senior Planner. Updates from the February Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) meeting. Nomination process for 2026 Early Childhood Council officers. STAFF BRIEFINGS 8. Austin Public Health update about the National League of Cities Prenatal-to-Three Impact Lab and 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 …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Early Childhood Council 20260311-002: Fiscal Year 2027 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 proves 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 City’s Quality of Life Study for Austin's Families with Young Children, which found that 78% of caregivers surveyed experienced some difficulty paying for child care in the last 12 months; the GenATX initiative from the Office of the Mayor; the recently launched Infrastructure Academy; Raising Travis County, the voter-approved fund to increase access to 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 who provide preventative support, foster joint partnerships to enhance coordination, improve wraparound support, save public dollars and interventions over the long term, and increase access to funding and resources that may not be available to individuals; 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 $16.8 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 …
CIS - ASPIRE Family Literacy Program Integrated Student Support (ISS) Model: Three Tiers Tier 3: Individualized Support • Working one-on-one with students • Providing basic needs • Home visits Tier 2: Targeted Programs • College campus tours • Self-esteem groups • Leadership groups • Friendship skills groups development group Tier 1: School-Wide Services • Attendance challenges • Red Ribbon Week • Kindness Week • Career Fairs • Basic Needs 2024-25 CIS Services and Supports 103 Schools served 68,087 students received school- wide supports 9,367 students received intensive case management $608,944 direct assistance to students & families 94% of student body receiving school- wide supports 83 community partnerships provided service 3 Achieving Success through Parental Involvement Reading and Education ASPIRE prepares families with young children for success in school and life . 4 The ASPIRE 2-Gen Approach Coordinates services across generations to support and empower the whole family system. ECE for children 0-5, out of school programs for children six and older. Home visiting, health and mental health services, stable housing, financial stability, case management, and networks of support. Parenting classes, financial education, English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Basic Education (ABE), high school diploma or equivalency (HSE), postsecondary education (associate or bachelor’s degree programs), workforce training, and certification programs. 5 Kindergarten Readiness Rates Beginning to Rebound Post-Pandemic in Texas and Central Texas Source: E3 Alliance analysis of ECDS data at the UT Austin Education Research Center Intergenerational Learning Activities Together they engage in child- directed play, reading, music, and exploration activities. Adult Education Adult Education Classes for English learners and/or parents seeking a GED. Early Childhood Education ASPIRE classrooms focus on social-emotional development, pre-literacy and language skills. Parent Education Parent Educators uses the Parents As Teachers curriculum to support learning and brain development in the home during monthly Home visits. Family Supports & Services ASPIRE is a safe community of families working together for school success. Among the 140 adults and children served last year: 85% of children (3-5 years old) demonstrated gains in pre-literacy skills on the Peabody Vocabulary Test. 100% of students (K-2nd grade) were promoted to the next grade. 100% of adult ABE/GED students improved their skills in at least one of their adult subjects (math, reading, or writing). 91% of adult ESL students demonstrated gains in English language proficiency. 90% of parents demonstrated gains in the Self-Sufficiency Matrix including parenting, education, life skills and social …
