Child Care Center Feature: Bountiful Blessings From Above Inc.

Workforce Solutions East Texas CCS Program • October 12, 2022

A Childcare Facility with a Special Purpose

It's a familiar struggle for parents across the nation; finding a daycare facility that you trust to take care of your little one. But what happens when your precious one has special needs? The struggles that come with caring for children with disabilities are a feeling that certain parents know all too well. Parents want to see their children thrive, but parents of children with special needs face obstacles to accessing proper care for their children. 


Like a superhero in the comic books, in comes Bountiful Blessings From Above Inc. Located in Palestine, this facility offers services including childcare and schooling for children with disabilities and has been serving its community since 1995. Through caring staff and carefully selected accommodations, this facility gives parents of special needs children in the area a feeling of relief. 


Despite the ever-increasing need for such services, Bountiful Blessings From Above Inc. remains the only special needs childcare facility in East Texas. During the recent Anderson County Social Services Round Table hosted by Hope Station, local community partners and programs gathered to exchange information on their companies and services. Among them is Joenequia "Nikki" Beckworth-Smith, the Special Needs Director/ Assistant Director of Bountiful Blessings From Above. As she spoke about the services provided by the facility, community members were in shock.


Nikki advised attendees, "We specialize in children with or without disabilities. Quality childcare and development of children. Our children get tutoring and extra support to help build skills. Children that have been in the program for years exceed the expectations of school standards."


Rachel Lovvorn, the Outreach Specialist of WSET, remarked that everyone in the crowd seemed surprised. "You could see it in their faces. They were moved by the role this facility plays in their community. And to find out that their city holds the only specialty facility in East Texas, I believe that only great things can come with that knowledge. The other community leaders in Anderson County will surely show support to Bountiful Blessings From Above as they continue to provide these essential services to East Texas," she said.


When asked what makes Bountiful Blessings From Above different from other facilities, Nikki said "What makes us different is bringing in more trained professionals to help develop children with disabilities in childcare. We make IEP goals to help them successfully transition into public schools." Nikki told Workforce staff that what makes the facility members happiest is seeing the progress in their children and community. "To see them better than they were before. We're also happy when we help them with school supplies, food, clothing, gifts, hugs, and kisses. It makes us all happy, which is rewarding. 


See more from our monthly Career Connections newsletter at https://conta.cc/3ymq6nI.

Texas Job Growth Continues in February, More Than 20,000 Jobs Added

By Workforce Solutions East Texas • March 31, 2025
The Texas labor market continued to achieve record highs for both jobs and the civilian labor force in February. The state added 20,100 positions over the month to reach a total of 14,254,200 nonfarm jobs. Texas added 182,300 jobs from February 2024 to February 2025, bringing the annual nonfarm growth rate to 1.3 percent and outpacing the national growth rate by 0.1 percentage points. February marks 56 of 58 months of growth for Texas’ civilian labor force, which achieved another new record high of 15,770,300 after adding 19,500 people over the month. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 334,800 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.1 percent. “With more than 20,000 jobs added the past month, Texas continues to see solid economic growth including the labor force,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “TWC supports this growth with strategic training programs designed to address the needs of employers and connect workers to successful career pathways.” The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industry had the largest over-the-month increase in February after adding 7,400 jobs. In addition, Leisure and Hospitality added 6,000 jobs over the month and Construction added 5,200. The Financial Activities industry grew by 2.6 percent over the year in Texas and outperformed the industry’s growth rate nationally by 1.7 percentage points. “Continued labor market growth through February is fueling economic expansion across Texas, creating more opportunities for Texans to find meaningful employment and improve their quality of life,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “To ensure all segments of the Texas workforce can benefit from this growth, TWC remains committed to investing in essential resources like career training, vocational rehabilitation, child care, and adult education, empowering individuals to capitalize on these new opportunities and contribute to our state's continued prosperity.” The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.2 percent in February, followed by the Amarillo MSA at 3.3 percent and the San Angelo MSA at 3.4 percent. “Texas led all states with more than 182,000 jobs added over the year because Texas employers continue to generate new opportunities,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. “More Texans are working than at any point in the state’s history, and TWC can support employers by providing resources and an upskilled workforce to power their momentum.” Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. *All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com. The Texas Labor Market Information Data for March is scheduled to be released on Friday, April 18, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).

Texas Labor Market Expansion Continues into 2025

By Lindsay Vanderbilt • March 17, 2025
The Texas labor market achieved new record highs for both jobs and the civilian labor force in January. The state added 27,900 positions over the month, reaching a total of 14,236,400 nonfarm jobs. Texas added 187,700 jobs from January 2024 to January 2025, bringing the annual nonfarm growth rate to 1.3 percent. January marks 55 of 57 months of growth for Texas’ civilian labor force, which achieved another new record high of 15,750,800 after adding 23,100 people over the month. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 351,200 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.1 percent. “With more than 187,000 jobs added over the year, Texas’ continued growth shows the strength of the Texas economy,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “Our commitment to a skilled workforce is essential to the state’s continued economic success.” The Private Education and Health Services industry had the largest over-the-month increase in January after adding 9,700 jobs. In addition, Professional and Business Services added 3,700 jobs over the month and Mining and Logging added 2,300. “New opportunities are emerging every day in Texas, and we must be prepared to seize them as a pathway to long-term growth,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor, Alberto Treviño III. “TWC recognizes that the needs of job seekers are diverse, and we offer a variety of programs to help Texans achieve their career goals.” The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.0 percent in January, followed by the Amarillo MSA at 3.1 percent and the San Angelo MSA at 3.3 percent. “Texas continues to attract new and expanding businesses across a wide range of industries,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. “We encourage employers to explore TWC programs like the Skills Development Fund, so they can develop their workforce to compete in a global market.” Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. * All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com . The Texas Labor Market Information Data for February is scheduled to be released on Friday, March 28, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).

Seeking Public Comments on 2025-2028 Local Board Strategic Plan

By Workforce Solutions East Texas • February 24, 2025
Workforce Solutions East Texas is seeking the public's input on its 5-year development plan to support regional economic growth and self-sufficiency by providing a first-class workforce for businesses and supporting the growth of local industries. The development plan outlines goals for preparing an educated and skilled workforce and education services for youth and impaired individuals seeking employment. The Board will accept public comments for a 21-day period beginning February 24, 2025. Mission The mission of the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board is to improve the quality of life through economic development by providing a first-class workforce for present and future businesses. Vision Workforce Solutions East Texas has active economic development with a premier workforce attracting and supporting growth of businesses and industry. For public comments, please click here to contact Gary Allen.
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