ABOUT
Our vision is to be a community in which every child experiences well-being, is connected, and is ready to thrive.
Our vision is to be a community in which every child experiences well-being, is connected, and is ready to thrive.
Did You Know?
Texas is ranked 43rd in the country for children’s well-being
25% of the 12,000 children in Navarro County live in families with incomes below the official federal poverty threshold
38% of the children in Navarro County age 17 and younger live in single-parent households
Our Priorities for 2024
What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
to our Early Childhood system in Navarro County?
SWOT ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
- Community value of education—Scholarships, Backpacks of Love, etc.
- Fine arts programs and cultural events
- Prevalence of faith communities
- Family centered community—outdoor and community space
- Non-profits focused on supporting young families
OPPORTUNITIES
- Community Pride—Netflix Cheer
- Census in 2020-more $ possible
- Generous trusts and foundations
- Garner buy-in from local childcare providers to collaborate and grow
- New programs for this age group—New Life, Hope Center, YMCA, Growing Together
- Empower individuals who work in early childhood space
- Engaging secondary communities outside of Corsicana
WEAKNESSES
- Lack of Spanish speaking helping professionals
- Transportation
- Lack of mental health/special needs resources
- Parent lack of education that they are their child’s first teacher
- Low daycare enrollment and capacity/early childhood workforce challenges
- Drug use by parents/lack of services for those parents
- Cultural competency
- Lack of fatherhood programs/men in coalition
- Affordable/adequate housing
THREATS
- Mental health/parent support stigma
- Community Trust with diverse populations
- Healthy relationships/social isolation
- Duplicated services
- Communication between nonprofits and government/funders
- Lack of data/making data accessible and applicable
What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to our Early Childhood system in Navarro County?
SWOT ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
- Community value of education—Scholarships, Backpacks of Love, etc.
- Fine arts programs and cultural events
- Prevalence of faith communities
- Family centered community—outdoor and community space
- Non-profits focused on supporting young families
OPPORTUNITIES
- Community Pride—Netflix Cheer
- Census in 2020-more $ possible
- Generous trusts and foundations
- Garner buy-in from local childcare providers to collaborate and grow
- New programs for this age group—New Life, Hope Center, YMCA, Growing Together
- Empower individuals who work in early childhood space
- Engaging secondary communities outside of Corsicana
WEAKNESSES
- Lack of Spanish speaking helping professionals
- Transportation
- Lack of mental health/special needs resources
- Parent lack of education that they are their child’s first teacher
- Low daycare enrollment and capacity/early childhood workforce challenges
- Drug use by parents/lack of services for those parents
- Cultural competency
- Lack of fatherhood programs/men in coalition
- Affordable/adequate housing
THREATS
- Mental health/parent support stigma
- Community Trust with diverse populations
- Healthy relationships/social isolation
- Duplicated services
- Communication between nonprofits and government/funders
- Lack of data/making data accessible and applicable
ADVISORY BOARD
Rachel Gillespie, Co-Chair, Presbyterian Children’s Homes & Services
Deb Tamez, Co-Chair, The Eagle’s Nest
Lynda Sloan, Retired
Amber Payne, Corsicana ISD
Cody Beauchamp, Corsicana Municipal Judge
Shana Owen, Corsicana ISD
Kimberly Hidalgo, Corsicana YMCA
Jenny Bratton, Child Advocacy Center
Derek Kester, Compassion Corsicana
Faith Rivera, Help Me Grow North Texas
Josh Parsons, DFPS
Pam Crawford, Retired
Valorie Horn, VOICE Inc.
Courtney Peterson, HHSC
PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Iliana Cazares
Dani Gonzalez Hernandez
Jamie Evans
Larasha Osborne
Claudia Gomez
Anna Crispin
Laura Taylor
Laura Martinez
ADVISORY BOARD
Rachel Gillespie, Co-Chair, Presbyterian Children’s Homes & Services
Deb Tamez, Co-Chair, The Eagle’s Nest
Lynda Sloan, Retired
Amber Payne, Corsicana ISD
Cody Beauchamp, Corsicana Municipal Judge
Shana Owen, Corsicana ISD
Kimberly Hidalgo, Corsicana YMCA
Jenny Bratton, Child Advocacy Center
Derek Kester, Compassion Corsicana
Faith Rivera, Help Me Grow North Texas
Josh Parsons, DFPS
Pam Crawford, Retired
Valorie Horn, VOICE Inc.
Courtney Peterson, HHSC
PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Iliana Cazares
Dani Gonzalez Hernandez
Jamie Evans
Larasha Osborne
Claudia Gomez
Anna Crispin
Laura Taylor
Laura Martinez
Response to COVID-19
Our Early Childhood Coalition met on March 19th and determined we needed to intervene on the community level and provide resources to families, daycares, and community organizations. In response, three taskforces were created.
Staying at Home Committee
This group created a stay at home guide for families at home together during the COVID-19 crisis using TBRI.
Daycare Support Taskforce
This group put together care baskets for daycares who needed hygiene supplies such as toilet paper, towels, masks, and cleaners. They also found funds for local daycares to keep their workforce and maintain operations and put together an application for funds and dispersed funding to 12 local childcare centers.
Local Crisis Resource Guide Taskforce
This group created an updated resource guide with information on local service providers, non-profits, and businesses and how they have varied their services to meet the community's needs.
Staying at Home Committee
This group created a stay at home guide for families at home together during the COVID-19 crisis using TBRI.
Daycare Support Taskforce
This group put together care baskets for daycares who needed hygiene supplies such as toilet paper, towels, masks, and cleaners. They also found funds for local daycares to keep their workforce and maintain operations and put together an application for funds and dispersed funding to 12 local childcare centers.
Local Crisis Resource Guide Taskforce
This group created an updated resource guide with information on local service providers, non-profits, and businesses and how they have varied their services to meet the community's needs.
The Navarro County Early Childhood Coalition is sponsored by the Growing Together Program of Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services
Growing Together welcomes all parents and caregivers interested in learning new ways to connect with and empower their child. Caregivers are provided new tools for their toolbox by learning parenting strategies that promote a strong foundation of children’s brain development and emotional well-being.
Parent Café Support Group
Meets once a month
One-on-One Support
Meet in your home and help with parenting skills
Stronger Family Attachment
Create a foundation for healthy development & educational success
The Navarro County Early Childhood Coalition is sponsored by the Growing Together Program of Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services
Growing Together welcomes all parents and caregivers interested in learning new ways to connect with and empower their child. Caregivers are provided new tools for their toolbox by learning parenting strategies that promote a strong foundation of children’s brain development and emotional well-being.
Parent Café Support Group
Meets once a month
One-on-One Support
Meet in your home and help with parenting skills
Stronger Family Attachment
Create a foundation for healthy development & educational success
2024 Coalition and Advisory Board Meetings
Minutes from Previous Meetings
March 2024
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January 2024
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November 2023
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September 2023
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July 2023
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May 2023
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March 2023
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January 2023
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November 2022
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September 2022
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July 2022
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May 2022
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April 2022
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January 2022
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November 2021
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2022 Coalition Meetings
A Little About Growing Together
Growing Together is open to any pregnant parent or those with a child 0-5 years of age residing in Navarro County, Texas that desires a stronger attachment with their child. Stronger family attachment during the infant, toddler and preschool years creates a foundation for healthy development and educational success.
We help by providing:
- Free, Family Focused Services
- Strength-based Parenting Support
- Flexible Hours
- Parent Café Support Group
We believe these services are critically necessary.
