July 2022 Monthly Update

July 2022 Monthly Update

Dear Friends and Partners,

The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, along with partners, is proud to be reimagining an equitable early childhood system by centering the voices of families and providers through a strategic planning initiative, Geaux Far Louisiana. Over the next few weeks, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice and Geaux Far Louisiana are presenting a draft plan to parents and providers across Louisiana to make sure the plan reflects input given through community listening sessions that were held earlier this spring. Sign up for a session in your area if you’d like to participate!

Last week, the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, along with the steering committee members of the Geaux Far Louisiana initiative, attended the Child Care NEXT summer convening in Washington DC. Louisiana is one of six states who received a Child Care NEXT grant to support in-state coalitions in implementing long-term campaigns to achieve transformative change in their state’s childcare policies and funding. The convening featured representatives from all six states—Louisiana, Colorado, Oregon, New York, New Mexico and Virginia—who came together to discuss best practices for transforming state child care systems to make them more equitable for young children. 

At the state level, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) will vote to approve updates to the Louisiana Early Learning Developmental Standards at their next meeting on August 23, 2022. Louisiana has used Early Learning Development Standards for over 10 years to give our children a better start in life. The Early Childhood Care and Education Advisory Council endorsed the updates, which align with Louisiana’s existing standards and reflect the best practices from a long-established field. We encourage you to reach out to BESE and the state superintendent of education urging them to approve the proposed updates to the standards this August.

Thank you for advocating on behalf of young children and working families in Louisiana!

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