LA GRANGE — A total of 204 childcare providers from over 18 cities and towns gathered for the Multi-County Child Care Conference on Feb. 1, organized by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Hosted by Austin, Fayette, and Wharton counties, the event took place at the Randolph Recreation Center in La Grange,.
With guidance from the Child Care Advisory Committee, the conference aimed to equip providers and directors with valuable tools to enhance the quality of childcare services. These efforts will contribute to the development of successful and well-rounded young individuals. The attendees, consisting of childcare providers and directors, serve over 2,415 children enrolled in 51 childcare centers and family day homes.
Throughout the day, educational specialists, agents, and subject matter experts led insightful sessions on a range of topics, including:
•“ Cultivating a Culture of Health: How to Grow a Strong Program Using Health Policies” – 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” – Maryteresa Tracy, M.Ed., Angelica Lopez, MS ECE, and Debbie Cummins, M.Ed., Region 13 Education Service Center
•“ Curriculum and Resource Development” – Sally Garrett, Lori Garcia, and Michelle Wright, County Extension Agents, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
•“ Educator Burnout: What Is It and What Can We Do About It?” – Jamilia Blake, Ph.D., Tamika Gilreath, Ph.D., and Melissa Sulzer, Texas A&M University, Department of Health Behavior
•“ Play to Learn! Using Games to Teach Social Skills” – Anna Raunmaker, MS, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Specialist
•“ Management Through Effective Communications” – Rudy Ruedas, BS, Project Manager, Marketing and Communications Department, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service In total, childcare professionals completed 1,428 clock hours of training, with each participant earning seven hours toward state-mandated requirements set by the state of Texas. The event was a resounding success, and organizers look forward to expanding their reach to even more providers in 2026.
