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Texas Rising Star Child Care Providers Recognized at Annual Quality Banquet

Oct 22, 2021
Posted by: Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas

39 Texas Rising Star Child Care Providers Recognized at Annual Quality Banquet

Over 300 child care teachers representing 39 child care providers across 12 counties came together on October 2, 2021, in Nacogdoches to focus on quality care. The Texas Rising Star Quality Conference was hosted by Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas and celebrated the providers’ hard work and dedication, as well as provided professional education to help them continue to contribute to the early development of children.

“Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas is working to create and strengthen the foundation of early childhood education that will support a child's continuation into primary education and then into the workforce,” Mark Durand, Executive Director. “It was a tremendous turnout at a time when our communities are depending more than ever on safe learning environments for children so their parents can attain or retain their jobs.”

Conference participants heard from Colleen Schmit, nationally known childcare behavior specialist, who spoke on the importance of teacher-child interactions, Lety Valero, international behavior intervention expert, who shared insight regarding conscious discipline, and Debb Homman, Child Care Coordinator, who presented the importance of self-care for providers. The information received by the participants will prepare them to implement their new learnings, which will help them to continue to enhance the quality of their programs. They also had the opportunity to network with their colleagues from other child care centers. In addition, $61,435 of child care funds was spent for door prizes such as instructional kits, products and other supplies to enhance the learning environments in the classrooms.

These Texas Rising Star-certified child care programs are providing higher quality learning environments for children. This can include higher quality curriculum, classroom activities, teacher qualifications and parent education. Child care centers that achieve TRS provider certification offer quality care that exceeds the State’s Minimum Child Care Licensing Standards and are in a better position to contribute to the early development of children. As providers progress through the three levels of certification, they contribute progressively more to the development of the children they serve on a daily basis.

Throughout the certification process, centers in the Deep East Texas region have the benefit of working with Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas mentors and child care development specialists Debb Homman, Rachel Smith and Rachel Garner, who offer guidance, coaching, and training for management and staff. Once certified, the TRS centers receive curriculum, educational centers and materials, and safety supplies.

The TRS Star centers in the 12-county Deep East Texas region include:

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) child care services program supports quality child care services and provides subsidized child care assistance for low-income families. Local workforce boards administer the program, offering education, guidance and support to participating families in selecting quality care for their children from a number of local providers who meet the TRS qualifications.

To learn more, visit Texas Rising Star.