We aim to accelerate states’ implementation of evidence-based policies that help all children thrive from the start.
Early childhood educators guide children through their earliest years and help working parents ensure optimal social, cognitive, and emotional development. Despite their vital role in societal wellbeing, many of these educators are underpaid and struggle to afford basic life essentials.
Most early educators across North Texas earn a median wage of $15 per hour. However, the living wage in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metropolitan Area is $23.86 per hour, resulting in a wage gap of approximately 37%.
Additionally, the salary range is narrow across professional qualifications, including college degrees, specialized certifications, and years of classroom experience. Limited opportunities for advancement or professional growth result in many educators leaving the field to seek job stability and better compensation.
In turn, the early care and education (ECE) workforce is faced with high turnover, fewer experienced educators, and a potential reduction in the quality of care.
By understanding these challenges, state leaders can design evidence-based solutions that strengthen the ECE workforce and economy alike. Read the brief to learn more about how wages are affecting early childhood educators across North Texas.
October was a busy and rewarding month for our team, packed with learning, connection, and impact!
The month began with our Executive Director, Dr. Cynthia Osborne, presenting at the 2025 Early Childhood Research Symposium in Oklahoma. There, she highlighted the benefits of implementing a paid family and medical leave (PFML) program and how such policies can support families and promote positive child development outcomes.
Following this event, Dr. Osborne represented the PN-3 Policy Impact Center at the Child Care Policy Work Group hosted by the National Conference of State Legislators, where she presented on the critical importance of governance in shaping families’ access to early childhood services.
Dr. Osborne then headed to the Early Childhood Investors' Luncheon hosted by Child Care Associates where she shared insights from theNorth Texas Child Care Workforce Study. During the presentation, she provided a clearer picture of the region’s early education workforce and spotlighted key data that can inform policy solutions to strengthen the experience of early childhood educators and young learners.
Closing out the month, she delivered a keynote address at University of Texas for theEarly Education Policy Summit: State Policies to Help Young Children Thrive, highlighting our 2025 State Policy Roadmapand Policy Impact Calculator — two dynamic resources developed by the Center to equip state leaders with timely insights on national and state policy action.
This event was part of a series honoring the Priscilla Pond Flawn Child and Family Laboratory as it approaches its 100th anniversary.
In addition to Dr. Osborne’s inspiring leadership, policy experts from our PN-3 team also shared insights for state leaders!
Assistant Policy Director, Alyssa Rafa, joined the Nevada First 5 Leadership Academy on a webinar to share perspectives on how state policies can shape child development outcomes and what strategies have proven to be effective in achieving child development goals across Nevada.
Policy Manager, Sarah Ritter, joined Paid Leave for All Kansans on a webinar to spotlight the latest research about paid family and medical leave programs, how they work, and how a state PFML program could impact Kansas businesses and families.
Senior Policy Research Associate, Becca Hanlin Lustick, delivered a presentation on Oklahoma’s early childhood governance structure to committee members for the Establishing a Department of Early Childhood Interim Study.
It’s been a wonderful month showcasing our team’s commitment to advancing evidence-based policies that enhance the experiences of young children and their families. We’re proud of everyone’s efforts and the meaningful conversations sparked across these events!
Infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) is an essential component to the foundation that shapes the lifelong experiences and interactions of every child.
By implementing policies and investing in programs that prioritize IECMH, states can help ensure that every child has an opportunity to thrive from birth.
In this brief, we outline four evidence-based approaches—paid family and medical leave, higher state minimum wages, Early Head Start, and Early Intervention services, that have shown effectiveness is supporting stronger outcomes for infants and toddlers. Explore state-level strategies for nurturing heathy beginnings.
In communities nationwide, refundable tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) are proving to be effective solutions for relieving the financial strain of families struggling to make ends meet.
This brief summarizes findings from our 2025 State Policy Roadmap, revealing key insights on states’ progress toward adopting and implementing EITCs. See which states are leveraging EITCs to build resilient family foundations and promote economic stability.
Policymakers across the country are seeking innovative ways to support families through state tax codes.
While solutions vary state-by-state, implementation of refundable child tax credits is a cost-effective approach that can reduce child poverty and improve family wellbeing.
This commentary offers a closer look at three states’ approaches to adopting a fully refundable child tax credit. Learn how thoughtful design can deliver real results for families.
Join Children’s Institute for a first look at key findings from their 2025 Preschool Survey.
This webinarwill explore what educators shared about their experiences and what it means for young children, early learning professionals, and Oregon’s early learning system. Learn what’s working, what’s challenging, and what opportunities lie ahead to strengthen early learning across the state.
Kate Silva is the Senior Communications Specialist, Digital Marketing at the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center. With more than a decade of experience in digital marketing, she is passionate about data-driven storytelling and helping to share the Center’s work in compelling ways that reach the right people through the right channels.
Prior to joining the Center, Kate served as Digital Communications Manager at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management, where she supported content strategy, strengthened enrollment marketing through digital advertising, and guided SEO and UX planning for a major website redesign.
Originally from Texas, Kate earned a BBA in Marketing from the University of Texas at Austin. She now lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with her husband, their two young (and wild) sons, and two cats. Outside of work, she enjoys family adventures, Formula 1, visiting coffee shops, and getting lost in a good book.
