
January Newsletter
Happy New Year from the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children!
We are thrilled to share that on Wednesday, February 5th, we will kick off our fourth annual Louisiana Early Ed Month, sponsored by our title sponsor Entergy. Co-hosted with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), Early Ed Month provides us with an opportunity to reach out to elected officials, business leaders, child care providers, and teachers, as well as families, on the importance of early childhood education to our communities, state, and economy. We are hosting several events throughout February across the state for advocates, parents and families, child care providers, elected officials, and business leaders. These events will highlight and showcase the condition of early childhood education in our state.
Highlights include our keynote speaker, Dr. Dan Wuori, a social media day of action, the 2024 Parent Poll press conference, and the Parent Advocacy Training co-hosted with the Save the Children Action Network. Find the full schedule of events here.
We want to give a special thanks to our other 2025 Early Ed Month sponsors: Our Lady of the Lake, Jones Walker LLP, Agenda for Children, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Clara's Little Lambs, Committee of 100 for Economic Development, For Providers by Providers, Gambel Communications, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company, Louisiana Public Health Institute, ResourceFull Consulting, Save the Children Action Network, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, Urban League of Louisiana, Young Scholar's Academy, and YWCA Greater Baton Rouge.
We hope you can join us on Wednesday as we kick off Early Ed Month 2025!
You’re Invited | Early Ed Month 2025!
Mark your calendars for our Early Ed Month Events.
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Keynote Address, Wed. Feb. 5, 10–11 am CT: For a century, America’s early childhood policy has been premised on a myth: that child care and education are separate. This misconception undermines the most critical period of brain development and wastes millions of taxpayer dollars every year. It’s time to think differently. Join author Dr. Dan Wuori, one of America's most respected bipartisan policy authorities, as he makes the case for why the early years matter; why America’s longstanding early childhood policy approach sacrifices the needs of young children; and why fixing the problem makes good sense, regardless of your place on the political spectrum. Dr. Dan Wouri serves as a strategic advisor on early childhood at The Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation and was the founding director of early learning at The Hunt Institute. Register here.
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#LAEarlyEDMonth Social Media Day of Action, Fri. Feb. 14, All day: On Friday, February 14, join the conversation online to raise awareness and advocate for continued investment in early childhood education. Download the social media toolkit with several resources for social media actions to take on Feb.14th and tag your posts with the hashtag #LAEarlyEdMonth. Download the social media toolkit.
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Parent Poll Press Conference, Tues. Feb. 18, 11–12 pm CT: In partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education, Agenda for Children, Rotary Club of Baton Rouge, and Women United of Southeast Louisiana, LPIC conducted this annual survey of Louisiana parents and guardians with children under age 5. The survey focused on the child care arrangements of surveyed families, including their needs and experiences related to child care. Register here.
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Parent Advocacy Training, Thurs. Feb. 20, 6–7 pm CT: The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children and the Save the Children Action Network are co-hosting a training that will empower parents to become effective advocates for high-quality early education programs in their communities. Participants will learn about the importance of early learning, strategies to influence local, state, and federal policies, and how to collaborate with educators and policymakers. Hear from two of SCAN's Volunteer Leaders, Dafnee Chatman and Tia Fields, on their journey, organizing and creating impactful change to ensure every child has access to a strong educational foundation. Register here.
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Child Care & the Economy Business Breakfast Briefing, Fri. Feb. 21, 8-9 am CT: The keynote speaker, Susie Schowen, Secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, will discuss the importance of child care and the impacts it has on the workforce and the economy. This event is co-hosted by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children. Register here.
News You Can Snack On
1. What we can learn from red states’ approaches to child care challenges
Leaders from Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Ohio are finding bipartisan solutions to improve the well-being of children and families. Policies supporting child care access and family choice are uniting diverse voices to address the needs of our youngest learners. Let’s continue to share ideas and build better opportunities for all. Read the full article here.
2. ‘Out of reach’ child care costs create challenges for single military parents
Lack of adequate child care directly impacts service member readiness, especially for single parents who can’t always rely on a partner for assistance. Frequent relocation, lack of support, financial struggles, and irregular work schedules are some complications when seeking child care. Read the full article here.
3. Playbook for 2025: Child care crisis likely to hit the office in new year
The child care crisis is impacting families nationwide as businesses push for a return to in-office work. With costs soaring and accessibility dwindling, parents are struggling to find care that allows them to balance work and family life. This issue affects not only households, but also businesses and the economy, as parents face difficult decisions about their careers. Read the full article here.
4. How Companies Can Partner With Child Care Providers To Support Working Parents
Nearly 40% of the workforce is comprised of working parents with children under the age of 18. With such a large percentage of the population fitting into this category, it’s become more important than ever for companies to look at their infrastructure and consider what they can change to better support their employees. Beyond table-stakes benefits like access to mental health counseling and flexible time off, assisting with child care can be an immense relief to parents. Read the full article here.
5. Parents are quitting jobs, passing on raises — to qualify for child care
Parents across the United States are quitting jobs or declining raises to remain eligible for child care assistance. This phenomenon underscores the challenges within the current child care subsidy system, where income thresholds can inadvertently discourage financial advancement. Read the full article here.