In a move aimed to bolster child care and educational support in Texas, Austin is developing a grant program that promises assistance to home-based child care providers, while Leander and Liberty Hill Independent School Districts (ISDs) set their sights on continuing enhanced services for autistic students through a collaborative grant. Austin's initiative, targeting licensed and registered child care providers within the city's jurisdiction, could qualify approximately 21 organizations that cumulatively owe $33,122 in property taxes for 2023, KXAN reported.
This support is deemed critical for many providers, who, the memo indicated, operate on tight budgets and are often women of color. However, despite the good intentions, the funds aren't in the bag yet. The City of Austin is eyeing a $75,000 annual grant from Home Grown for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, which requires a dollar-for-dollar match from the city—a commitment currently not covered in the forthcoming budget, as the city staff hustles to unlock new funding options in the FY25 budget.
Meanwhile, to the north, the Leander and Liberty Hill ISD strive to renew their grant that has provided a critical boost in services for autistic students, a necessity as the student populations grow alongside state and national trends. The two school districts originally received $2.8 million for the 2022-24 period, Community Impact reported. The grant's impact is significant, with innovative training for staff and offerings such as a visual support production center that aids in preparing students for post-school employment.
According to LISD and LHISD staff, these grants aren't just about ticking regulatory boxes; they're about meaningful, personalized support for students with diverse needs—needs that have doubled in the case of LHISD in the last two years. "The additional supports that came with the grant just allowed us to be more intentional and individualized, with making sure that all the needs got met," Hattie Currier, an LISD low-incidence disabilities specialist, told Community Impact. An upcoming community event on April 12 at Liberty Hill Elementary gym is set to celebrate and educate on autistic student services, inclusive of activities and crafted products for sale by students from the Specialized program.
The pursuit of these grants underscores a commitment in Texas to address specific educational needs, be they through fostering nurturing home environments for the youngest minds or securing the future of neurodiverse students through targeted, well-funded services. While Austin navigates its budgetary constraints, and Leander and Liberty Hill ISD await grant approval, the programs' potentialities stand poised to make a marked difference in the lives of Texan families and children.
