AVANCE Hosts Roundtable on Empowering Latino Families Through Early Childhood Education
In partnership with Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors and UnidosUS, AVANCE hosted a pivotal roundtable discussion titled “Building a Brighter Future: Empowering Latino Families through Early Childhood Education.” Held at the AVANCE Carmen P. Cortez Family Center in San Antonio, TX, the event brought together more than a dozen community leaders, parents, and key stakeholders to tackle the urgent need for equitable access to high-quality early childhood education (ECE) for Latino families.
In Texas, where over 40% of the population is Hispanic or Latino, affordable access to early education and childcare remains a significant challenge. According to a survey conducted by UnidosUS, one in three families who do not utilize childcare cite affordability as the primary barrier. “We found that many families can’t afford childcare, which limits their ability to participate in the workforce,” said Tania Villarroel from UnidosUS.
The roundtable centered on the Latino Infant Initiative (LII) Policy Agenda, a framework designed to address systemic barriers to ECE access. The discussions also explored potential policy changes, with several organizations working with lawmakers to advocate for more flexible eligibility requirements for early education programs.
Maria Jasso, a mother of two, shared her personal struggles with accessing early education. “The primary difficulty is that we don’t all qualify for daycare or Head Start,” Jasso explained. Despite improved financial circumstances, many families are disqualified from free childcare programs due to income restrictions, a common issue discussed during the roundtable.
Dr. Teresa Granillo highlighted this challenge, explaining that many families who have made economic progress are still in need of affordable childcare. “They need the childcare to stay in the workforce and provide for their family, but as they do better, they no longer qualify for assistance,” Dr. Granillo noted.
Organizations like UnidosUS and AVANCE are working to bridge these gaps by connecting families with available resources, such as home visiting programs that help parents navigate the system and access essential services. “We’re working with lawmakers to change policies and make requirements more flexible, so more families can qualify,” said Villarroel. “In the meantime, we’ll continue to connect families with the resources they need.”
The event served as a vital platform for driving solutions to ensure that Latino children receive the quality early education they deserve, setting the stage for long-term success.
