Coastal Bend Multi-County Child Care Conference Held in La Grange

On Feb. 5, 188 child care providers from more than 17 surrounding cities registered to attend the Multi-County Child Care Conference sponsored by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The event was held at the Randolph Recreation Center in La Grange, and was hosted by Austin, Fayette, and Washington Counties.

This yearly event equips child care providers and directors with the necessary tools to provide high-quality child care assistance which will ultimately develop productive and successful young people. The child care providers and directors who attend provide services and care for more than 2,415 children enrolled in more than 51 childcare centers or family day homes.

A host of agents, specialists, and technical subject matter presenters provided educational information throughout the day. Topics addressed this year were: Implementing Healthy Food Policies in ECE Centers (Jenna Anding, Ph.D. - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Program Specialist); Understanding Family Diversity & Cultural Dynamics in Early Childhood Education (Flora Harmon)

Texas A&M University Ph.D. student in ECE); Supporting Social Skills Through Science Activities, Building Connections Through Purposeful Play, Center-Based Classrooms: Let’s

Get it Setup (Katie Myers, Jennifer Russell, Maryteresa Tracy - Region 13 Education Service Center Educational Specialists) and Active Play: Creating Inclusive and Age-Appropriate Physical Activity Opportunities for All Children (Mike Lopez -Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Program Specialist).

A total of 1,190 clock hours of training (seven hours per participant) were provided to childcare professionals seeking to meet state-mandated training requirements established by the state of Texas. The event was a phenomenal success, and the committee looks forward to serving even more provider in 2023.