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The first few days and weeks home with a new baby can be a challenging time for all families, and research indicates that more than 90 percent of families can use some additional support. Family Connects Austin/Travis County nurses are trained to answer questions and connect families with the support they need. The program is simple — a registered nurse comes to visit around 3 weeks to check on mom, baby, and the whole family. Last month, Family Connects expanded to serve all families, regardless of which county they live in, who are Texas residents and have given birth at partner hospitals Ascension Seton Main or St. David’s South hospitals.  Expanding beyond Travis County, Family Connects is now reaching more mothers, newborns, and parents with wellness checks, developmental resources, and vital care for mothers in their newborn’s first few weeks of life, regardless of income. Nurses perform comprehensive health and wellness assessments for mothers and their newborns in the comfort of their home. By identifying risks early, facilitating access to care, and providing education and support, Family Connects works to save lives and promote long-term health for babies and their families. “We were so blessed to have had Family Connects reach out to us,” said Zahra, a local mother. “The experience came at a very difficult and vulnerable time for me as a first time mom, and the compassion and care Nurse Sandy showed my baby and me was unparalleled. Not only was I provided a tremendous amount of newborn […]

Maria Dominguez, founder of Cielito Lindo Spanish Immersion Preschools, has grown her program to three locations across Greater Austin. Maria Dominguez knew she wanted to be a teacher since she was 9. Sitting outside her apartment with an easel and folding table, she helped neighborhood kids with their homework, her first makeshift classroom. That spark grew each year. Maria earned her degree in bilingual education, taught pre-K and first grade, and became a school counselor. When her daughter was born, a new dream took root: creating a safe, nurturing early learning environment so more children could access the same high-quality care she wanted for her daughter. The seed for Cielito Lindo, her Spanish immersion preschool, was planted. Living Room to Lifelong Learning Maria opened Cielito Lindo out of her living room. Five years later, the center has grown to three Austin locations. Two schools have received the highest quality rating in Texas, with the third on the way. Today, 95 children are enrolled in Cielito Lindo schools, learning in language-rich environments with small class sizes and nurturing teachers. Obstacles Face Families and Providers Building a small business has brought hurdles. Maria navigated complex city permits, licensing, and leasing requirements while striving to reach more families. Families across Greater Austin face their own barriers to accessing care: 6,171 children under age 6 are on the waitlist for high-quality subsidized child care. Partnering for a Stronger Early Childhood System That’s where United Way steps in. Maria joined United Way’s Pre-K Partnerships and […]

Many college students face major barriers to completing their education. They lack access to basic resources like food, transportation, health care, and child care needed for college and career readiness. To help them reach their full potential, we are launching a new program with Austin Community College (ACC) to equip them with the resources they need to thrive. The program, starting Fall 2025, will use our resource navigation tool, ConnectATX, to connect ACC students at the Highland and Round Rock campuses with supports, including food, health care, transportation, benefits support, child care, and more. “This program can open doors for hundreds of students to not only meet their goals, but to dream bigger,” said United Way for Greater Austin CEO Ingrid Taylor. “We’re committed to understanding each student’s needs and building the kind of lasting support that helps them thrive in school and in life.” This launch follows a four-year partnership between United Way and Austin Community College to provide parenting students with resources to thrive. The program, Parenting Students Project, supported participants with a monthly stipend, wraparound services, and a network of support. A survey from Trellis Strategies showed 88% of students who participated in that program either graduated or stayed in school through Spring 2024, compared to 54% of parenting students who did not participate in the program. The new pilot aims to connect hundreds of ACC students with the support systems they need to complete their education and build long-term stability. “Our students are parents, workers, and […]