On February 1, 2025, more than 200 childcare providers gathered at the Randolph Recreation Center in La Grange for the highly anticipated Multi-County Child Care Conference. This annual event, hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in collaboration with Family & Community Health Agents from Austin, Fayette, and Wharton counties, provided essential training, resources, and networking opportunities to childcare professionals across the region. With over 51 childcare centers and family day homes in attendance, the conference offered a wealth of knowledge and practical tools for enhancing the quality of childcare services. Collectively, the attendees serve more than 2,400 children, and the event aimed to support their efforts in fostering well-rounded, successful young individuals. The conference featured seven workshop hours, including three business administration hours specifically designed for directors, who had the chance to strengthen their leadership skills. Participants were provided with informational materials and had access to various sessions led by industry experts and educational specialists.
Key presentations included:
- “Cultivating a Culture of Health: How to Grow a Strong Program Using Health Policies” by Alexis Cordova, Project Specialist III, Early Childhood Professional Development, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
- “Building Emergent Literacy Skills,” “The Power of Play,” and “Understanding Autism in Preschool” by Maryteresa Tracy, M.Ed., Angelica Lopez, MS ECE, and Debbie Cummins, M.Ed., from Region 13 Education Service Center.
- “Curriculum and Resource Development” led by County Extension Agents Sally Garrett, Lori Garcia, and Michelle Wright from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
- “Educator Burnout: What Is It and What Can We Do About It?” by Jamilia Blake, Ph.D., Tamika Gilreath, Ph.D., and Melissa Sulzer from Texas A&M University’s Department of Health Behavior.
- “Play to Learn! Using Games to Teach Social Skills” by Anna Raunmaker, MS, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Specialist.
- “Management Through Effective Communications” by Rudy Ruedas, BS, Project Manager, Marketing and Communications Department, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
The conference wrapped up with attendees collectively completing 1,428 clock hours of training, with each participant earning seven hours toward state-mandated requirements. Organizers expressed satisfaction with the event’s success and revealed plans to expand the conference in 2026, aiming to provide even more opportunities for childcare providers across the region. With valuable insights and strategies shared throughout the day, the Multi-County Child Care Conference continues to be a key event for professionals committed to improving the quality of early childhood education in Texas.
