The Texans Care for Children Awards Luncheon brings together community-minded Texans who believe every child deserves a strong start in school, access to quality health care, mental health support, and the opportunity to thrive!

This annual gathering is your chance to connect with child advocates, leaders from the business, healthcare, faith and education communities, policymakers, and many others who are helping shape a brighter future for Texas children and families. Together, we’ll celebrate the people making a difference, exchange ideas, and look ahead to the opportunities and challenges facing children across our state.

The Luncheon is also an opportunity to support Texans Care for Children’s mission of advancing policies that improve the lives of kids and families. And with an inspiring program featuring our 2027 honorees, guests will hear firsthand from leaders who are making an impact and motivating others to take action.

Join us for an energizing day of connection, celebration, and shared purpose — and be part of the community working to ensure every Texas child has the opportunity to thrive!

TABLES AND TICKETS

Sasha Rasco has been a leader in ensuring Texas children are safely nurtured and their families supported for more than 27 years. She held a number of senior roles in state government during her career. From 2013 to 2025, Sasha led the growth of the Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) division at the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), working to reduce risks of child maltreatment by promoting safe, stable and nurturing parent-child relationships. Sasha also led the Child Care Licensing division at DFPS and served as Associate Commissioner for Family Support Services at the Health and Human Services Commission. Sasha currently serves as Associate Director of Child and Family Wellbeing at Sellers Dorsey.

For over three decades, Melanie Rubin has been a tireless advocate for strong early childhood policies, playing leadership roles in successful campaigns in Dallas and statewide to ensure more families have access to high-quality child care. A longtime believer that those closest to the challenges should have a voice in shaping the solutions, Melanie has led advocacy training programs and mentored child care providers and parents to use their experience to inform public policy. Melanie is the Executive Director of the North Texas Early Education Alliance.

TABLES AND TICKETS

Our dedicated Luncheon host committee shares our vision of a more equitable Texas for children and families. Thank you to this amazing team for helping us honor our Founder’s Award recipients, welcoming new guests to the table, and creating change that will last for generations.

  • Shalom Austin

  • Management Consultant

  • HEB

  • SRI International

  • Sellers Dorsey

  • Student1

  • Education Consultant

  • Phenix Saenz

  • Squeezed Consulting

  • King & Spalding, LLP

  • Nix Patterson, LLP

  • Claire Zinnecker Design