This episode of Growing Up in America tackles the urgent issues impacting Texas children, from the fallout of the federal government shutdown on immigration services to the shifting landscape of DEI and racial healing following the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson. Dr. Bob Sanborn and Nely Sanchez host expert guests to discuss why 4,000 immigrant students have left HISD, the current satisfaction levels with K-12 education, and new findings from the "Paving the Way for Quality" child care report. Tune in for a deep dive into public policy, community advocacy, and the fight for the quality of life for every child.

Featuring Krystal Gomez, Managing Attorney at Texas Immigration Law Council, Cherry Steinwender, Executive Director at the Center for the Healing of Racism and Kim Kofron, Director of Early Childhood Education for CHILDREN AT RISK.

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Hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn (CHILDREN AT RISK) and Owala Maima (CHILDREN AT RISK) reflect on Bad Bunny's historic performance before diving into how public health, immigration systems, and environmental policies affect children and families in Texas.

This episode features Dr. John Higgins, Cardiologist and Professor at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, Senior education reporter Megan Menchaca of The Houston Chronicle and Deyadira Arellano, Community Organizer at Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services.

Plus, tune in for Hip Speak with our Media Culture Correspondent Anya Osundwa!

In this episode of Growing Up in America: The Way it Is, our hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn, President and CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK, and Brian Greene, President and CEO of the Houston Food Bank, discuss the rapid evolution of public policy and what it means for civic engagement.

Dr. Michael Chang, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases at McGovern Medical School, examines current vaccination recommendations and how decreased vaccination rates are leading to higher rates of infectious disease. Krystal Gomez, Managing Attorney at the Texas Immigration Law Council, addresses the implications of changing immigration enforcement practices for children and families. And former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, now a candidate for Harris County Judge, reflects on the policy issues shaping the future of the county.