AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas nonprofit is continuing its push for more access to child care not just in Central Texas, but across the state.
On Monday, Children at Risk held an online press conference to begin its 12-stop tour across the state amid the 89th Texas legislature.
According to the organization, about 56% of Texas children from low-income families with working parents currently live in a “child care desert.” The Center for American Progress defines a child care desert as an area where there are at least 50 children under the age of five, that have either no child care providers or so few that there are more than three times as many children as there are licensed child care slots available.
Texas has seen a 24% decrease in family child care providers over the past six years, according Children at Risk senior director of education Kim Kofron.
48% of Texans currently live in a child care desert, including in areas like Lubbock and Amarillo, where the nonprofit says access has gotten worse. Last year, Children at Risk shared data from September 2022 through October 2023, which stated that 333 Texas ZIP codes are labeled as child care deserts.
“We’ve lost a lot of child care seats across the state of Texas in the last year,” Children at Risk president and CEO Dr. Bob Sanborn said during Monday’s meeting. “Over 75,000 seats that we’ve lost. Those are families that are desperately trying to find spots for their kids.”
Here in the Austin-Central Texas area, roughly seven of these deserts currently exist, which is the same as in 2024. However, Texas Rising Star Child Care deserts have reportedly seen improvement, with a 24% dip. These particular areas highlight communities where not enough certified Texas Rising Star programs are available.
Children at Risk also highlights an increase in child care deserts among people of color, as well as in more rural parts of the state.
The group also recognized the Texas House for its $100 million investment to help offer scholarships for families with lower incomes.
Currently, Texas lawmakers are also discussing several bills that would improve child care conditions across the state, including Senate Bills 462, 599 and 1755.