Awards Grants to Create Child Care Talent Pipeline Through Apprenticeship Programs

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is investing in a talent pipeline for the early childhood industry by providing $1,052,881 for six grants to develop child care apprenticeships. The programs awarded are Camp Fire First Texas in Tarrant County and North Central Texas; Collin County Community College District in North Central Texas; Dallas College in Dallas; South Texas College in Hidalgo County and Starr County; the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in four Workforce Development Areas across the state (Cameron County, Gulf Coast, Lower Rio Grande Valley, and Panhandle); and the Heart of Texas Workforce Development Board, Inc. in Waco.

“Apprenticeships are an important tool to provide training for key positions,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “This apprenticeship program will help ensure quality child care is available for working Texas families.”

TWC is working to increase the number of qualified child care workers and has now awarded more $1.8 million to support the development of new Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Programs. In addition to the six grants mentioned above, in 2022, TWC awarded three grants for a total of $793,401 to create two new early childhood apprenticeship programs and expand one existing program. Apprentices are full-time, paid employees who earn while they learn.

“TWC is committed to helping child care businesses—many of which are small businesses—find the skilled workers they need to provide a vital resource for our future workforce, “said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson.

“The earn-while-you-learn model of apprenticeships provides Texas employers with yet another choice and will help the Lone Star State maintain and grow the early childhood industry needed for our young, industrious population.”

TWC, in partnership with a workgroup of community colleges, created a sample framework to award college credit for students/apprentices who have completed early childhood Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprenticeship programs and are earning early childhood certificates and degrees at different levels. These individuals would be eligible to have their DOL completion certificate articulated into college credit hours. It is common for child care teachers to have some college or a nationally recognized certification, and streamlining credits helps teachers grow in their profession. The new framework, which all community colleges may elect to use, on the ApprenticeshipTexas webpage.

“The partnership between community colleges and apprenticeship programs is essential to develop trendsetting pathways in early childhood education,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “As a result, these educators have an opportunity to impact the advancement of future Texans in a high-demand career.”

TWC and its local Workforce Solutions partners serve families and child care providers. Visit the TWC Child Care and Early Learning Services website for more information.

Summer Track and Field Program

The City of Rio Grande City Parks and Recreation Department is NOW REGISTERING children from 5 years of age to 18 years of age for the Summer Track and Field Program.

You can register your child at City Hall between the hours of 8am to 12pm and 1pm and 5pm, Monday through Friday. For more information you can contact our Parks and Recreation Department at (956)488-8728.

Youth-related violence is a problem that plagues communities across the country. Youth violence encompasses everything from physical fighting to bullying to sexual or physical assault.

The World Health Organization states that there are certain risk factors that elevate the likelihood of engaging in or being victimized by youth violence. Individuals who are exposed early to alcohol, drugs and tobacco and who may come from homes where crime is prevalent may be more inclined to engage in violent behaviors.

Low commitment to school and conduct or behavioral disorders also can increase the chances of being involved in youth violence.

Children who can be violent also may come from homes that have inconsistent supervision and disciplinary practices, or a low level of attachment between parents and children.

Preventing youth violence depends on a number of factors. Multifaceted strategies that address factors at the individual, family and community levels

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may be needed, offers the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Promoting supportive family environments and early childhood intervention offering quality education early in life, and strengthening youth skills all may assist in keeping violent tendencies from surfacing. Connections to the community and support systems can be beneficial as well. Interventions to lessen the effects of exposure to violence and treatments to correct problematic behaviors also are advised.

Some children can benefit from juvenile awareness programs, sometimes referred to as “scared straight” programs. These include prison tours and exposure to criminals to help shed light on the consequences of delinquent or violent behavior. Other adolescents and teens may find value from boot camp-style disciplinary programs that redirect energy in positive ways.

Youth violence can be addressed via various strategies aiming to keep young people, their schools and their communities safe.

COMBINED RFP/RFQ FOR PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATION SERVICES AND REQUEST FOR STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATION OR ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (TDEM) PROGRAMS

The City of La Grulla is soliciting proposals from for-profit and/or non-profit entities for the professional administration and architectural/engineering services developing hazard mitigation grant applications and grant administration services of such projects. Historically Under-utilized Businesses (HUB), small and minority businesses, women’s business enterprises, (M/WBE) and labor surplus area firms are encouraged to participate. The City reserves the right to negotiate with any and all persons or firms submitting proposals, per the Texas Professional Services Procurement Act and the Uniform Grant and Contract Management Standards.

RFP/RFQs must be received in the City Hall no later than Friday, May 26, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. and must be addressed and sent to the City Hall, 194 FM 2360, La Grulla, Texas 78548. A pre-bid conference will be conducted on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the La Grulla City Hall. RFP/RFQs will be opened on May 26, 2023 at the same location at 11:01 a.m. and scored prior to the selection and awarding of contracts at the next City Council meeting. Interested Offerors may request a copy of the RFP/RFQ packet by calling City Hall at 956-343-3361 or e-mailing your request to b.salinas@cityofgrulla.com

The City is an equal employment opportunity employer.

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