Annual Journey: Moments & Milestones 

Written By Rebecca Rueda

As we approach the end of another remarkable year, the Early Learning Alliance (ELA) reflects on a journey filled with growth, innovation, and unwavering commitment to early childhood education and care. This year has been a testament to our dedication and hard work, as we have navigated through various challenges and seized numerous opportunities to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and families in Tarrant County.

2024 has been a transformative year for ELA, marked by significant accomplishments and milestones that have further solidified our mission to provide the best start in life for every child. From expanding our advocacy efforts and services to forging new partnerships and strengthening existing ones, we have made tremendous strides in enhancing the quality of early childhood education and care in our community. Our efforts have not only been recognized locally but have also garnered attention and accolades on a broader scale, underscoring the importance and effectiveness of our work.

As we look back on this incredible journey, we are filled with pride and gratitude for the unwavering support of our members, partners, and the community. Their collaboration and commitment have been instrumental in helping us achieve our goals and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

Here are some of the key highlights of our annual journey:

2024 Accomplishments:

  • January 

    • ELA received the “Community Partner Award” from Black Child Development Institute DFW Metro.

  • February 

    • ELA became one of the first official members of the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers (NCIT) during their recent membership drive. 

  • March 

    • ELA released the report “ Early Care and Education in Tarrant County” highlighting the perspective of parents and early educators of children with disabilities. 

    • ELA was featured in the Star Telegram, discussing the lack of child care options for children with disabilities, referencing the ELA report. 

    • ELA hosted Quarter 1 Alliance Meeting on the topic of Child Care Navigation 

  • April 

    • ELA proudly sponsored the Child Care Regulation 12th Annual Training Conference. 

  • May 

    • ELA co-hosted a successful NTX Family Leadership Summit with Help Me Grow North Texas, Bachman Lake Together, and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.

  • June 

    • ELA curated resources to help North Texas organizations identify, access, and fund translation and interpretation services. 

    • ELA presented these resources at Quarter 2 Alliance meeting, which was hosted bilingually (English & Spanish) for the first time.

    • ELA celebrated Rebecca Rueda her three years of service as Project Manager. 

  • August 

    • ELA’s Inclusive Early Learning committee met for the first time. 

  • September 

    • Kym Shaw Day was hired as acting Executive Director. 

    • ELA hosted the Quarter 3 Alliance meeting on Inclusive Early learning and announced the newly formed committee. 

  • December 2024 

    • ELA hosted Quarter 4 Alliance Meeting on Annual Journey: Moments & Milestones. 

    • ELA co-hosted a session at the Help Me Grow National Forum. 

Thank You to Our Members and Partners:

We are filled with gratitude for the incredible support and collaboration for our members and partners. Their dedication and commitment have been instrumental in helping us achieve our mission to provide the best start in life for every young child in Tarrant County. Together, we have made significant strides in early childhood education, and we couldn’t have done without them.  

  • ADFW Child Care Professionals

  • AWare Research Solutions LLC

  • Bachman Lake Together 

  • Black Child Development Institute- Dallas/Fort Worth Metro 

  • Camp Fire Fist Texas

  • Center for Transforming Lives

  • Child Care Associates 

  • Crowley ISD

  • The Concilio 

  • Educational First Steps 

  • First 3 Years 

  • Fort Worth Chapter- Association for the Education of Young Children

  • Fort Worth ISD

  • Fort Worth Public Library 

  • Good Shepherd Academy 

  • Green Space

  • Lena Pope

  • Lucas Consulting, TX

  • My Health My Resources Tarrant County 

  • North Texas Community Foundation 

  • Rainwater Charitable Foundation 

  • REV Partnership

  • Tarrant County Public Health 

  • United Way Metropolitan of Dallas

  • United Way of Tarrant County 

  • Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County

  • Individual Members:

    • Pablo Calderon

    • Connie Presley

    • Kathy Livingston

    • Ann Rice

Shout Out to Our Working Committees

A special acknowledgement goes to our dedicated working committees, whose tireless efforts bring our mission to life. 

  • Family Leadership Summit, Year 2 & 3

  • Child Care Navigation Workgroup

  • Racial Equity Guidance Council

  • Child Care Workforces Sustainability Committee 

  • Early Education Apprenticeship Program 

  • Inclusive Early Learning Committee (*new)

  • Legislative Advocacy Committee (*forming) 

  • Governance Committee 

  • Leadership Team 

As we look ahead to 2025, we are filled with optimism and excitement for the future. The successes of this year have set a strong foundation for even greater achievements in the years to come. We extend our deepest gratitude to our partners, supporters, and the community for their unwavering support. Together, we will continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of the children and families we serve. Stay tuned for more updates and join us on this incredible journey.

Happy Holidays!🌲❄️

Rebecca Rueda
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