Earlier this spring, Councilmember At-Large Scott Walker and Jefferson Ready Start Network (JRSN) hosted a panel discussion entitled “Focus on the Future,” with community leaders. The panel included Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng; Sheriff Joseph P. Lopinto III; Superintendent James Gray, M.Ed.; and University of New Orleans economics professor Alí Bustamante, Ph.D. Panelists discussed early care and education and their impact on Jefferson Parish’s families, workforce, economy and broader community.
The forum highlighted the critical need for business community involvement. Approximately 70% of children from birth to age 5 have both parents, or their single parent, employed full-time. Despite this, working families still struggle to afford quality early care and education. When parents can’t afford childcare, they can’t show up to work, which affects local businesses and the economy. It costs Louisiana businesses $762 million per year and leads to a $1.2 billion annual loss for the state economy.
Bustamante emphasized that the correlation between early education breakdowns and economic prosperity cannot be overstressed. In Jefferson Parish, these breakdowns amount to about $180 million annually. Supporting early care and education is a forward-thinking approach to economic development.
As Councilmember Walker stated, “We can’t kick the can down the road; we must address this issue now.”
Lack of access to early care and education is not only a local issue but a state and national crisis. Long-term sustainable funding is needed to ensure all children in Jefferson Parish have access to quality early care and education, enabling more families to work.
The Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund (the state matching fund) made it possible for local entities like JRSN to receive a dollar-for-dollar match for local funds raised to provide public seats. While we have joined our colleagues from Rapides, Natchitoches, Caddo and East Baton Rouge parishes, to name a few, in capitalizing on this match, for Jefferson Parish it is not a sustainable plan. Parishes like Orleans are finding alternative solutions, passing a millage in support of early care and education in 2022 that (with the match) raised almost $43 million for our neighbors.
Jefferson Parish faces significant gaps in early care and education services. Of the approximately 25,000 children from birth to 5 years of age, as many as 15,000 are from economically disadvantaged families. On a good day, only 5,000 receive publicly funded care. This lack of access mirrors the state and national landscape. The crisis is real and predicted to worsen before it improves.
The Role of Jefferson Ready Start Network
Jefferson Ready Start Network (JRSN) is a coalition tasked by the Louisiana Department of Education to increase access to high-quality early care and education locally. Our advisory board is made up of individuals with backgrounds in business, education, fundraising, health care and local government. We use local data and our community’s unique needs to develop strategies to enhance early care and education in our parish.
A child’s earliest life experiences have a profound impact. Ninety percent of brain development occurs before age 5, making early years critical for growth and development. High-quality early care and education can significantly improve outcomes. Children who participate in quality early childhood programs are 25% more likely to graduate high school; those who don’t attend quality preschool programs are 70% more likely to be arrested for a violent crime by age 18.
Jefferson Parish businesses are impacted daily. While many high-quality early education programs exist, they have long wait lists, with hundreds of children in line for a seat. Despite federal, state and local investments, large gaps remain. Businesses must be part of the solution until long-term sustainable funding is secured.
Involvement in early care and education is a strategic investment in both the current and future workforce and economic stability of Jefferson Parish. By supporting early education, businesses can help create a more prosperous community for all. To learn more visit JeffersonReadyStartNetwork.com.
Sarintha n, PhD, is the executive director of Jefferson Ready Start Network. She may be reached by phone at (504) 650-9016.
