Child Care Advocacy Resources for HB 500 – TXAEYC
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Child Care Advocacy Resources for HB 500

Help Protect Child Care Funding for 10,000 Texas Families

The Texas House recently approved a budget package that includes $100 million in funding for the Child Care Services (CCS) program—a major investment that could move more than 10,000 children off the waitlist and into quality early care and education.

This is a crucial step forward, but the funding is not final.

For this investment to reach families and providers, we need lawmakers—especially in the House and Senate—to prioritize this funding in final budget negotiations. That’s where you come in.

Whether you’re an early childhood educator, director, advocate, or parent, your voice can make a meaningful difference.

How You Can Help

📣 Contact your elected officials and share why this funding matters for you, your program, and your community. You can:

  • Send an email

  • Make a phone call

  • Record a short video

  • Visit your legislator’s local office

Personal stories carry real weight with lawmakers. We’ve provided letter templates below to help you get started, and we encourage you to include your own experience.

Sample Letters

Use the templates below to email or print a letter to your State Representative or Senator. Feel free to personalize the content to reflect your community’s needs and your own experience in the field.

📄 Letter to a Texas House Member

Subject: Support for $100 Million CCS Investment in HB 500

Dear Representative [Last Name],

My name is [Your Full Name], and I am a constituent from [City, Texas]. I work in the early childhood education field as a [your role], and I’m writing today to thank you for your support of the $100 million investment in the Child Care Services (CCS) program included in HB 500.

This funding will allow thousands of additional Texas children to access high-quality child care and will provide much-needed support to programs like mine that are ready to serve more families but lack the resources to do so.

In my community, [insert your personal story—a waitlisted family, staffing challenge, or how CCS has made a difference]. These stories are not unique. They reflect the broader need for meaningful investment in child care across our state.

We are facing a child care crisis in Texas. Families are waiting months—or even years—for access to care. Without support, many programs cannot meet demand, and working parents are left with impossible choices.

I urge you to continue supporting this critical investment as budget negotiations move forward.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Organization, if applicable]
[Your City, Texas]
[Optional: Contact Info]

📄 Letter to a Texas Senator

Subject: Protect $100 Million in Child Care Funding in HB 500

Dear Senator [Last Name],

My name is [Your Full Name], and I am a child care [educator/operator/advocate] and constituent from [City, Texas]. I’m writing to respectfully ask for your support in maintaining the $100 million investment for the Child Care Services (CCS) program in HB 500.

This funding is essential to address the growing waitlist of over 95,000 eligible children. The CCS program allows working parents to access high-quality early education, helping families stay employed and children thrive in safe, supportive environments.

In my community, [insert a brief example—how CCS supported a family, a story from your center, or challenges your program has faced]. These are real experiences that demonstrate the importance of this investment.

Texas families need help now. Protecting this funding would provide meaningful relief to parents, stabilize our workforce, and strengthen communities across the state.

Thank you for your consideration and continued support for Texas families.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Organization, if applicable]
[Your City, Texas]
[Optional: Contact Info]

Priority Districts

If you live or work in one of the following legislative districts, your outreach is especially important.

Texas House

  • Rep. Dustin Burrows – District 83 (Lubbock)

  • Rep. Greg Bonnen – District 24 (League City)

  • Rep. Angelia Orr – District 13 (Hillsboro)

  • Rep. Mary Gonzalez – District 75 (El Paso)

  • Rep. Stan Kitzman – District 85 (Bellville)

  • Rep. Armando Walle – District 140 (Houston)

Texas Senate

  • Sen. Charles Perry – District 28 (Lubbock)

  • Sen. Brandon Creighton – District 4 (Conroe)

  • Sen. Joan Huffman – District 17 (Houston)

  • Sen. Lois Kolkhorst – District 18 (Fort Bend)

  • Sen. Robert Nichols – District 3 (Jacksonville)

  • Sen. Royce West – District 23 (Dallas)

Not Sure Who Represents You?

Use this tool to look up your elected officials by address:
🔗 Find Your Representative

Thank You

Thank you for using your voice to advocate for children, families, and the future of early care and education in Texas. With your help, we can keep this funding secure and create more opportunities for those who need it most.