Cypress Edition | March 2025

BY EMILY LINCKE

Harris County early childhood education program facing closure A pilot program oering free early childhood edu- cation for children ages 4 and younger across Harris County could be ending soon once federal funding runs out, county commissioners said Feb. 6. The overview Ocials launched Harris County’s Early Reach Education Access for Children pilot program in June 2023 to provide free, high-quality child care for fam- ilies in high-need areas, addressing the challenges faced by both children and child care providers in the county, Community Impact previously reported. It was launched using funds from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, which were temporary, meaning additional funding would eventually be needed, ocials said. ARPA funds must be spent by the end of 2026.

County to look at $130M shortfall

Early reach centers

Precinct 1 Precinct 3

Precinct 2 Precinct 4

Harris County ocials said at a Feb. 6 meeting they are anticipating a $130 million gap in funding of drainage projects due to inated costs of construction materials. The full story Harris County’s subdivision drainage program was designed to reduce the risk of ooding for 45,000 homes countywide upon completion, as previously reported by Community Impact . The funding shortage follows a number of challenges for the program, including a $277 million funding shortfall announced in 2023, prompting the county to pause 33 projects under the program. Most of the $130 million gap could impact projects in Precinct 1, which makes up much of central Harris County, ocials said.

290

99 TOLL

610

149

GALVESTON BAY

1,300 children across the county participated in the program

$15 guaranteed minimum wage for child care providers

4 and younger are ages of eligible children

$29 million in ARPA funding spent on the program

SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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