April 2026 Monthly Update
Dear Friends and Partners,
This month marks seven years since I stepped into the role of CEO at the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children. What stays with me most is not just what we have accomplished, but how we have done it together.
Because of your partnership, we have helped bring more than $1 billion into early care and education in Louisiana. We have built momentum, strengthened systems, and created space for families and providers to help lead this work.
And still, we are not where we need to be.
Families are still piecing together care. Providers are still carrying too much. Too many children remain without access to the quality early learning experiences they deserve. That is why this legislative session matters so much. It is where progress continues to take shape and where the gaps in our system are made clear.
We are now six weeks into the legislative session, and several key efforts reflect both the momentum we have built and the work still ahead:
- SB 445, which aims to codify the ECE Fund match and allocate additional funding, has been deferred in committee. The Senate Finance Committee has deferred several bills until it understands the budget implications. We anticipate more clarity mid-May, pending the outcome of the May 16th ballot amendments. The Senate Finance Committee was very receptive to the testimony and information provided. Thank you all who supported LPIC with this.
- HB 992, which creates a unique student identifier for children in publicly funded early childhood education programs. The House passed the bill and now sends it to the Senate to go through the process on that side.
- HB 1242 (a substitute for HB 628), which supports child care microcenters at schools by allowing the Department of Education to issue more than one Type III child care license at the same school location. The House passed the bill and now sends it to the Senate to go through the process on that side.
- SB 435, which would establish a statewide Fatherhood Commission, has passed the Senate and is now moving into the House to go through the process on that side. of programs. It has passed the House and now moves to the Senate, an important step. Each of these efforts represents progress. And each also underscores the reality that building a system that truly works for children and families takes time, alignment, and continued commitment.
- HB 648, allows parents and legal guardians of a child under age 5, and providers of early childhood supports or services who sit on boards and commissions to participate virtually. It has passed the House and is now waiting to be given a hearing in the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Seven years in, I am proud of what we have built together. I am also clear that the best of this work is still aheadIf you are interested in receiving weekly updates during the legislative session, please email info@readylousiana.org or feel free to sign up for membership in the Ready Louisiana Coalition by registering here.