Primary Department: Economic Equity and Opportunity
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Jie Wu, Interim Executive Director
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Transmittal
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): University of Houston
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Transmittal by the Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity of the Early REACH Second Annual Report (June 2026) conducted by the University of Houston.
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Background and Discussion:
On January 31, 2023, Harris County Commissioners Court approved a contract with BakerRipley (in partnership with United Way of Greater Houston) to administer the Early REACH program. The program aims to create 800-1,000 high-quality child care slots in child care deserts, serving children (ages 0-4) from families in high Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) areas or low-income households. Early REACH also aims to improve working conditions and reduce turnover for child care staff.
On April 23, 2024, Harris County Commissioners Court approved a contract with the University of Houston
Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality (UH IRWGS) to conduct an evaluation of the economic
impact of Early REACH. The scope of the evaluation includes center, family, market impacts, and cost effectiveness of the program.
This transmittal highlights the second of four reports assessing the economic impacts of Early REACH. It offers key insights into the Harris County child care landscape, Early REACH program implementation and larger impacts, including:
Federally funded chil...
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