Policy Strategies & Innovations Link copied!

Innovation Name Innovation Type Innovation Subtype Features at a Glance Strategy Summary
Early Childhood Education Millage Dedicated Funding Streams Property Tax

In 2022, voters in New Orleans, LA, passed a property tax levy that, along with state matching funds, will provide early childhood education to 2,000 children from low-income households annually. The campaign won a 5 millage property tax that will raise $21 million in the first year and will be doubled by the state’s matching fund. The program will provide child and family support services, coaching and professional development for teachers, and expand the supply of quality early learning centers.

Learn more: Early Childhood education millage
Louisiana Department of Education Virtual Therapy Workforce Benefits

4 free virtual therapy appointments; subsequent appointments are $37.50 – $75 per visit, depending on length

In 2022, the Louisiana Department of Education partnered with Ochsner Health to launch a virtual therapy program for educators. This program was designed to respond to ongoing mental health challenges faced by educators during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It covers four virtual therapy visits for Louisiana public school teachers and support staff at all K-12 school systems and early childhood centers serving children from birth to age four. Additional visits are available for $37.50 (30-minute visits) and $75 (60-minute visits). Appointments are available during daytime and evening hours Monday through Friday and on Saturdays. Funding for this three-year initiative is provided through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund.

Learn More: Louisiana Department of Education Virtual Therapy

Sources:

Louisiana Department of Education. (n.d.). Virtual Therapy through Ochsner Anywhere Care.

Louisiana Department of Education. (n.d.). Virtual Therapy through Ochsner Anywhere Care: Frequently Asked Questions.

Pathways Apprenticeships Workforce Apprenticeships

State-funded program

In 2021, the Louisiana Department of Education (DOE) created the Fast Forward initiative to offer students opportunities to earn an associate degree or gain meaningful work experience in a variety of fields, including early childhood education, through an apprenticeshipwhile in high school. In the early childhood field, the initiative is intended to expand the teacher workforce. Participants are trained to assure the health, safety, and well-being of young children in out-of-home care. The Fast Forward program has three pathways: Jump Start 2.0 Pathway, TOPS University Pathway, and Louisiana Transfer Degree Pathway. In 2021 the program announced grants of up to $50,000 to be awarded to a lead regional secondary school system and its higher education partner in each of the eight regions of the state. The DOE and the Board of Regents each contributed $200,000 for the total grant cost of $400,000. The initiative aims to assist with establishing statewide industry or sector partnerships among local educational agencies and institutions of higher education.

Learn more: Louisiana Department of Education

Sources:

Louisiana Department of Education. (n.d.). Fast Forward

Louisiana Department of Education. (2023). Approved Fast Forward Pathways List.

Louisiana Department of Education. (n.d.). Fast Forward Pathways.

Louisiana Department of Education. (n.d.). Jumpstart 2.0 Associate of Applied Science: Care and Development of Young Children.

Louisiana Department of Education. (2021). Louisiana Department of Education Launches Bold Career and College Readiness Pilot Supported by BESE, Board of Regents.

Louisiana Board of Regents. (2021). Louisiana Previews New Career & College Readiness Pathways During Joint BESE, Regents Meeting.

Louisiana Department of Education. (2021). Louisiana Department of Education Awards $400,000 in Planning Grants to Improve Career & College Readiness.

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Demographics Link copied!

State population

4,590,241 Source U.S. Census, 2022

Rural %

28.5% Source U.S. Census, 2020

Urban %

71.5% Source U.S. Census, 2020

Number of children age 0-4

285,149 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Poverty levels – children 0-8 below 200% poverty

49% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Median family income among households with children

$64,200.00 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Unemployment rate

3.5% Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 2022

Unemployment rate of parents

4% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Children under age 6 with all available parents in the labor force

68% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Children living in households with a high housing cost burden

30% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

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Child population by race and ethnicity Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

Race and Ethnicity

  • American Indian and Alaska Native (1%)
  • Asian (2%)
  • Black or African American (36%)
  • Hispanic or Latino (8%)
  • Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (0.49%)
  • Two or More Races (3%)
  • White, not Hispanic or Latino (50%)
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Political Landscape Link copied!

Year20232022202120202019
GovernorDDDDD
HouseRRRRR
SenateRRRRR
Source: Ballotpedia 2023

Early Childhood Education Programs Link copied!

Public pre-K program name

Nonpublic Schools Early Childhood Development Program (NSECD) Source: NIEER 2023

Public pre-K program name

Cecil J. Picard LA 4 Early Childhood Program (LA 4) Source: NIEER 2023

Public pre-K program name

8(g) Student Enhancement Block Grant Program LA 4 (8(g)) Source: NIEER 2023

Universal or pre-K policy

Targeted Pre-K Policy (4-Year-Olds) Source: NIEER 2023

Universal or targeted pre-K policy

Targeted Pre-K Policy (4-Year-Olds) Source: NIEER 2023

Universal or targeted pre-K policy

Targeted Pre-K Policy (4-Year-Olds) Source: NIEER 2023

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Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023

Programs

  • 3-year-old children enrolled in state-funded public pre-K (0.2%)
  • 3-year-old children enrolled in Head Start (18%)
  • Other/none (81.8%)
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Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs Source: NIEER 2023

Programs

  • 4-year-old children enrolled in state-funded public pre-K (30%)
  • 4-year-old children enrolled in Head Start (10%)
  • Other/none (60%)
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Workforce Link copied!

2017 – 2019 Wages (hourly) Source CSCCE 2018, 2020

Role

  • Child care workers
  • Preschool teachers
  • Preschool or child care center directors
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Funding Sources Link copied!

Federal and State Early Childhood Education Funding (in millions) Source First Five Years Fund, 2022

Funding source

  • Head Start and Early Head Start Funding ($197.7)
  • CCDBG & Mandatory Funds ($150.3)
  • CCDBG State Match ($8.9)
  • CCDBG COVID Relief Allocations – CARES, CRRSE, ARPA (CCDF & Stabilization) ($1000)
  • State-Funded Pre-K ($91.5)
  • MIECHV ($10.4)
  • IDEA Part C ($10.1)
  • IDEA Part B, Sec 619 ($10.0)
  • TANF Early Learning and Care Expenditures ($63.8)
  • Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five ($14.5)
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Funding acronyms: CCDBG: Child Care and Development Block Grant; CARES Act: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act; CRRSE Act: Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations; ARPA: American Rescue Plan Act; CCDF: Child Care and Development Fund; MIECHV: Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program; IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

The COVID Funding Cliff

All federal COVID relief allocations, including funding authorized by the CARES, CRRSE, and ARPA bills, must be fully spent by September 2024. An analysis from the Century Foundation shows this loss of funds could cause more than 3 million children to lose access to child care nationwide – including more than 77,000 children in Louisiana.