August 2025 Monthly Update
This month marks the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a moment in time that profoundly altered Louisiana’s landscape, communities, and families. For many of us, the memories of that time remain vivid and heavy. As we mark this anniversary, we honor the resilience of our state and reflect on the lasting impact the storm had on our children, our systems, and our collective future. Katrina laid bare how vulnerable child care access can be during times of crises and reinforced the need for a resilient, sustainable system that supports families no matter the circumstances. That lesson continues to guide our work today.
Also, this month, our team gathered for our annual retreat, a valuable time to reconnect, recharge, and align on the work ahead. Together, we explored the structure of our organization in relation to our strategic plan, strengthened our teamwork, and renewed our shared commitment to advancing policies that improve outcomes for Louisiana’s youngest learners. A special thank you to a donor for their support and guidance in making this retreat possible.
Finally, we recently hosted a press conference to share the results of our 2025 Provider Survey. These findings align with our previous studies and highlight the challenges early childhood education providers face across the state, from workforce retention to rising costs. These insights are critical in helping us advocate for stronger, sustained investments in child care. We’re deeply grateful to the providers who shared their voices and experiences.
Thank you, as always, for standing with us and for your unwavering commitment to Louisiana’s young children and families.