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.

August 4th Regionwide Job Fair Employers List

July 28, 2026
Tuesday, August 4 | Athens, Longview, Marshall, Palestine, and Tyler

Texas Job Market Grows by More Than 177,000 Positions Over the Year

July 20, 2026
Texas added 43,400 nonfarm jobs in June to reach a total of 14,469,600 positions. Over the year, the state added 177,900 jobs for an annual growth rate of 1.2 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.9 percentage points. Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,904,900 after adding 3,400 people over the month. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 29,700 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.4 percent. “Texas’ continued job growth is a testament to the strength of our employers and robust workforce development system,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “The addition of more than 177,000 jobs over the year reinforces Texas’ reputation among employers as the best place to start and grow a business.” The Professional and Business Services industry had the largest private sector over-the-month increase in June after adding 25,500 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality added 10,300 jobs over the month while Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 6,400. “The growth of the Texas labor market highlights the incredible talent and dedication of our state’s workforce,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “The Texas Workforce Commission is committed to ensuring every Texan has the support they need to thrive, whether through training opportunities to gain new skills or specialized programs that help our foster youth transition into successful careers.” The Midland metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.6 percent in June. It was followed by the San Angelo MSA at 3.9 percent and the Abilene MSA at 4.0 percent. “With an annual growth rate of 1.2 percent, Texas continues to outpace the national average and demonstrate economic resilience,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Brent Connett. “Both job seekers and employers can seek customized career services and recruitment assistance by visiting our TWC website or their local Workforce Solutions office.” 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 July is scheduled to be released on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).

Building Connections, Strengthening Child Care

July 20, 2026
Workforce Solutions East Texas Child Care Services is proud to partner with the Panola County Chamber of Commerce to support child care leaders across the region. Through this partnership, the Chamber provides a welcoming meeting space for Directors Connect training designed to help early learning program owners and directors connect, learn, and grow together. The partnership was made possible through the support of Keri Perot-Vance, Executive Director of the Panola County Chamber of Commerce, whose commitment to community collaboration helped create a space where child care leaders can come together to share ideas, discuss challenges, and strengthen their leadership skills. The partnership began in 2025 in response to daycare owners expressing a need for accessible training opportunities. Recognizing this need, Panola County Chamber of Commerce graciously offered to host the Directors Connect training in its beautiful historic building. This collaboration provides child care professionals with the opportunity to earn professional development hours required to remain in compliance with Child Care Regulation and Texas Rising Star. Tonia Crawford and Aerial Jones, Business Industry Specialists for Child Care Services and facilitators of Directors Connect, say the program has evolved into so much more than a training opportunity. It has become a space for meaningful conversations, professional connections, and shared solutions. Through these gatherings, directors are strengthening their businesses, growing as leaders, and ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided to children and families throughout East Texas. Workforce Solutions East Texas Child Care Services is grateful for the Panola County Chamber of Commerce's ongoing support and looks forward to continuing this impactful partnership for years to come. Together, we are investing in stronger leaders, stronger child care programs, and stronger communities.
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