Advocacy & Policy
Speak. Represent. Advocate.

Our Voice at the Capitol—For Texas’s Youngest Learners

At the Texas Head Start Association, advocacy is more than a priority—it’s our purpose. We speak on behalf of Head Start children and families. We represent program needs at every level of government. And we advocate for policies that build equity, improve access, and strengthen early childhood education in every corner of Texas.

As Texas faces increasing demands for affordable, high-quality child care and pre-K services, TXHSA remains a trusted resource and leader in public policy that impacts our communities.

2025 Legislative Focus Areas

Increasing Funding for Child Care

$100 Million for Child Care Services
TXHSA supports the Texas House’s approval of $100M in scholarships for low-income families. These funds, distributed through the Texas Workforce Commission’s Child Care Services program, will dramatically increase access for families most in need.

Improving Child Care Access & Supply

Expanding Home-based Child Care (SB 599)
By reducing red tape for home-based child care providers, this bill opens the door to more flexible, accessible care for working parents.
Scholarships for Child Care Workers
Supporting access to affordable child care for income-eligible child care workers ensures the very professionals serving our children can care for their own.

Strengthening Pre-K Programs

Pre-K Partnership Expansion (SB 1755, HB 1996, HB 2395, HB 2779, HB 3297, HB 3301, HB 3692, HB 2)
These bills aim to grow high-quality public-private pre-K collaborations—critical for reaching more eligible children across Texas with consistent, school-readiness-focused programming.

Full Funding for Full-Day Pre-K
TXHSA supports the “89th Texas Legislature’s Pre-K Checklist” in advocating for full funding for full-day pre-K students, correcting a long-standing funding gap and ensuring schools can serve children for the full instructional day.

Supporting the Head Start Workforce

Raising Head Start Teacher Pay
We advocate for new standards that raise salaries and improve benefits for Head Start educators. Competitive compensation helps recruit and retain the talented, mission-driven professionals our children deserve.

Improving Early Childhood Data Systems

Codifying ECIDS (SB 2194, HB 3963)
TXHSA supports efforts to establish a cross-agency Early Childhood Integrated Data System (ECIDS). Improved data will help programs, policymakers, and families make informed decisions and track progress toward child outcomes.

Resources

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Speak. Represent. Advocate.
Shaping Policy. Strengthening Communities.

At the Texas Head Start Association (TXHSA), advocacy means using our voice to improve the lives of children and families across our state. We speak for the needs of programs and parents. We represent the Head Start community in legislative spaces. We advocate for policies that open doors to opportunity, improve early childhood systems, and strengthen our workforce.

Every policy we support is grounded in our mission: to ensure every Texas child has access to high-quality early learning and family support services—no matter their zip code.

How TXHSA Advocates

TXHSA works year-round to:

Testify at legislative hearings and engage with policymakers
Provide legislative alerts to members and stakeholders
Equip local programs with advocacy tools and guidance
Collaborate with state and national partners on aligned priorities

We believe that when you speak, your story makes a difference. When we represent, communities gain strength. And when we advocate, policy begins to reflect the needs of real children and families.

Why Advocacy Matters

Public policy decisions directly shape the availability, quality, and funding of Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Without a strong, unified voice, these programs risk losing the support they need to thrive.

Advocacy is how we protect and grow that support.