WSET Launches 3 R’s Educational Campaign in East Texas Child Care Centers to Celebrate Keep America Beautiful Month

Workforce Solutions East Texas • April 29, 2022

Pictured: New Recycling Area at Stepping Stone in Tyler, TX

To celebrate Keep America Beautiful Month in April, Workforce Solutions East Texas launched a 3'R's – Reduce, Reuse Recycle – educational campaign in East Texas child care centers that participate in the Texas Rising Star program. Texas Rising Star (TRS) is a quality rating and improvement system for Texas early childhood programs in which the participating centers meet higher quality standards than many other child care programs.


The 3 R's was created to encourage TRS programs to develop a recycling program and reinforce the concept of recycling within their facilities. Staff provided 85 TRS programs with a curriculum for the month with activities, resources, and parent involvement activities, including:

  • Book - "The 3 R's" by Nuria Roca and Rosam Curto
  • Play recycle truck
  • Learn to Recycle sorting activity boxes
  • "I Recycled Today" stickers and Earth Day badges
  • 3 recycle bins to encourage parent involvement


Development of an educational video is also underway, partnered with the East Texas Council of Governments Solid Waste Program and Region 7 Education Service Center, which all TRS providers will receive.


Workforce Solutions East Texas is proud to be one of the top-performing areas in the State for Texas Rising Star. Our board is honored to have received outstanding performance awards for this program in 2017, 2018, and 2019 from the Texas Workforce Commission. To find out more about the East Texas TRS program, visit https://www.easttexasworkforce.org/texas-rising-star. 

A woman is holding a box of candy in front of a stack of cardboard boxes.
Three women are standing next to each other holding cardboard boxes in a room.
A woman is opening a box with toys in it

Request for Applications: High Demand Job Training Grant FY26

By ETCOG & Workforce Solutions East Texas • September 4, 2025
Deadline for applications - September 26, 2025
Two women: one laughing, the other with a raised hand, in a well-lit room, possibly a home or office.

You’re Invited: Let’s Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

By Workforce Solutions East Texas • September 3, 2025
Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) and Texas Workforce Solutions -Vocational Rehabilitation Services (TWS-VRS) invite you to a celebration event on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, from 9:30 am to noon at the Longview Workforce Solutions Center located at 1905 W. Loop 281, Longview, TX 75604. At WSET, we are deeply committed to fostering an environment that welcomes all abilities in the workforce. National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a powerful reminder of the immense talent and untapped potential that individuals with disabilities bring to our workplaces. Whether you are an employer seeking to hire individuals with disabilities, an organization championing disability rights, or someone seeking to learn more TWS-VRS we invite you to attend our upcoming event. Our event promises insightful discussions, valuable networking opportunities, stories from participants who are successfully navigating their journey after receiving services through TWS-VRS along with those business partners who have hired them. There will also be resources aimed at helping businesses take significant steps toward creating a workplace that includes all abilities on their team. Let's come together to celebrate our 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). We celebrate the value and talent that all Americans - including people with disabilities – bring to our businesses, organizations, and communities. Join us in the momentous occasion as we celebrate this milestone in our nation’s history.
A man in a white shirt stands in front of a bookshelf. The words

From Summer Job to Career Path: Malachi Whedbee’s SEAL Success

By Workforce Solutions East Texas • August 26, 2025
When Malachi Whedbee joined the Summer Earn and Learn (SEAL) program, he saw it as an opportunity to gain experience, learn new skills, and contribute to his community. What he didn’t expect was how much of an impact his dedication would make—both on his future and on the people around him. Through SEAL, Malachi began working full-time at the Upshur Rural Library, clocking in at 8:00 a.m. every morning and working until 5:00 p.m. His days were filled with tasks like completing computer library entries, assisting with various projects, and lending a hand wherever needed. But for Malachi, these duties weren’t just boxes to check—they were chances to prove himself. And prove himself he did. Malachi’s exceptional work ethic showed in everything he did. He was always on time, completed assignments with precision, and eagerly stepped up for additional responsibilities. His positive attitude was contagious, creating a welcoming environment for both staff and patrons. Mrs. King, the library’s supervisor, quickly recognized that Malachi was more than just a temporary hire—he was an asset. Describing him as “outgoing, dependable, and hardworking,” she praised his professionalism and the joy he brought to the workplace. By the end of the program, Malachi’s efforts had done more than meet expectations—they had opened a door. Mrs. King was so impressed that she offered him an interview for a permanent position at the library. With the same enthusiasm and determination he brought to every day on the job, Malachi accepted the opportunity. Malachi’s journey through SEAL is more than a personal achievement—it’s a shining example of how young adults with disabilities can break barriers and build meaningful careers when given the chance. His story is a reminder that talent, dedication, and opportunity are the real building blocks of success.
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