Travis County received near-failing grades today upon the release of the first Report Card on Child Well Being, a rating system that measures how children of Travis County are faring.
The grades come as no surprise after problems with the state's Child Protective Services prompted Gov. Rick Perry to issue an executive order in July 2004 calling for its reform.
"Travis County, we cannot continue to fail," said Dina Flores, director of Escuelita del Alma Learning Center in Austin.
In a press conference at City Hall, Flores and community leaders Mayor Will Wynn, County Judge Sam Biscoe, District Attorney Ronnie Earl and United Way Capital Area President and Chief Professional Officer David Balch said they were disappointed with the grades Travis County received but were optimistic that the county can improve with community support.
"The health and safety of our children is directly related to our health and safety," said Earl. "This is a generational responsibility."
Data for the report card was compiled by 40 participants from area nonprofits, agencies, child advocates and volunteers in conjunction with the Austin Child Care Council Public Awareness Committee. The report card was released as part of the Week of the Young Child, which is sponsored by the National Association of the Education of Young Children.
Flores said there is a need in Travis County for quality child care for all children, strong and structured programs, permanent care for children and more benefits for child care workers. She said families get caught up in a "horrible and vicious cycle" when parents can't afford child care and have to stay home with their children instead of working.
According to the report card, Travis County received its low score in child health and safety because the figure for confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect is higher than that of the state. A reduction in benefits for mothers and their infants and low enrollment in existing programs such as the Women, Infants, and Children food program and the Children's Health Insurance Program also contributed to the grade.
"The bad news is, it's still bad," said Mayor Will Wynn regarding the "D+" the county earned for child care. Wynn said he hopes new programs such as the Texas Rising Star Program will make it easier for child-care facilities to become accredited. He also spoke about WorkSource, a nonprofit, federally-funded resource aimed at helping people find jobs. It also offers child-care programs, so parents can retain employment, and youth programs to keep children in school.
Leanne James, spokeswoman for WorkSource, said it is the largest contributor to subsidized child care in Travis County, spending $12 million on 3,800 children each day.
"We must, we must do better," said Biscoe who received applause from the audience when he said issues surrounding the well-being of children needed political support. "That's a reality check that the county judge is old enough to say."
According to the report card, child school-readiness received a "C-" because of the low percentage - 16.7 percent - of eligible children served through Austin's Head Start program in comparison to the national average of 20 percent. Also, the failure rates of first-grade children in Austin are lower than in the rest of the state.
Speakers said the report card was a good benchmark; and, with help from the community, Travis County can improve.
"The time to start is not tomorrow morning; it's right now," said Biscoe.
Be the first to comment on this article!