Coda Rayo-Garza, PhD, serves as the Senior Director of Research and Data at Every Texan. A fronteriza born and raised in Laredo, Texas, Coda is a daughter of immigrants and a first-generation college graduate. Her diverse career spans the nonprofit and government sectors, including previous work as a Lecturer of Political Science.
Coda earned her B.A. in Philosophy from Texas State University, followed by an M.A. in Political Science and a PhD in Applied Demography from the University of Texas at San Antonio. In addition to her research, she is a co-founder of Fiesta Wishes and serves on the Board of Directors for CommuniCare Health Centers. She is also the co-author of Latinos in the US: Diversity and Change (2nd Edition), published by Polity Press.
Where to find me during session: Crunching numbers and defending survey data
My surprising hobby: I play the drums
The U.S. Census Bureau’s newly released 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year estimates provide a fresh look at how families across the country are faring on various economic and social
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) remains a cornerstone program to the food safety net millions of Texans rely on. In 2024, 3.47 million Texans (11.4% of the state population)
Twitter Facebook Linkedin Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge in Texas, impacting more than 4.9 million Texans (16% of the state’s population). The numbers are even more alarming for children:
Since 2011, changes to Texas’s family planning programs, such as provider exclusion policies and significant funding shifts, have contributed to a steady decline in access to essential reproductive health care
Twitter Facebook Linkedin Recent federal proposals suggest states be required to contribute 5%, 10%, or even 25% of the total cost of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. For Texas,
Twitter Facebook Linkedin Medicaid is a lifeline for millions of Texas families by providing access to health care coverage for low-income pregnant women, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Federal
Twitter Facebook Linkedin About 5.7 million people in Texas identify as two or more races — 19.2% of the state’s population. This is a seemingly large increase from the roughly
Twitter Facebook Linkedin Poverty affects the lives of countless Texas children and families, shaping their access to essential resources, opportunities, and long-term stability. Poverty intersects with education, health, and economic
Twitter Facebook Linkedin View as a PDF. Many Texas children are cared for by extended family members or close friends when their parents are unable to. These “kinship care” arrangements
Twitter Facebook Linkedin The 2024 Texas Kids Count Data Book highlights the state of child well-being across Texas with a focus on health, education, and economic security. According to the
