San Jacinto College received nearly $190,000 for career and technical training through the Jobs and Education for Texans, or JET, grant program, according to an April 17 news release from Gov. Greg Abbott's office.

The impact: The funding, distributed through the Texas Workforce Commission, will support training for 110 students as electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians, according to the news release.

This award is part of a larger $1.78 million investment in six Southeast Texas schools through the JET program to help cover the cost of equipment needed to train students for high-demand careers, including cybersecurity, nursing and welding.

CAVA opened a new location in League City on April 17, according to an April 16 press release from the company.

Must-try menu items: The fast-casual restaurant chain specializes in “build-your-own” Mediterranean bowls and pita wraps with protein options including lamb, falafel, chicken and steak, according to the menu.

• 2915 Gulf Freeway S., League City

Harris County Commissioners Court on April 16 greenlit a business development program for child care providers that aims to help more centers qualify for federal subsidies, part of a large-scale effort to increase affordable early education options in the Greater Houston area.

The action taken: The April 16 vote directed the county’s Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity to create an early childcare business accelerator program in partnership with the University of Houston and the Gulf Coast Workforce Board, the two entities developing curriculum for providers.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, who proposed the action in partnership with Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones, said the program will provide mentoring and business support with the goal of expanding available child care seats and improving compliance with local and state regulations.

More details: Briones said the county will specifically focus on assisting providers who lack Texas Rising Star certifications—a quality recognition from the Texas Workforce Commission that’s required for centers to qualify for federal support. Only about 55% of Harris County centers are TRS-certified, she said. 

Harris County leaders are gearing up for a sweeping effort to expand affordable access to child care and early learning—a burdensome expense for many families.

The overview: Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia and Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones launched the initiative to tackle local concerns about education options for children under age 5. In January, their offices created the Harris County Coalition on Early Childhood Education and Care, which officials said will help shape local policy and direct state-level reform of subsidized early childhood education during Texas’ 90th legislative session.

The need: Harris County has approximately 166,000 children under age 5 who qualify for subsidized prekindergarten, according to data from county officials. However, federal funding for subsidized care only goes so far.

At least 30,000 eligible children in Harris County are on a waitlist for subsidized care, the data shows, meaning some families must wait over a year for scholarships. 

Another detail: Gov. Greg Abbott announced a Task Force on Early Childhood Education in January, indicating aligned policy goals between Harris County and the state.