Research shows that 80% of brain development occurs by age three. Therefore to decrease negative factors for not receiving a high quality early childhood education such as grade retention, health and behavioral issues, rising crime rates, decreasing literacy rates, and school dropouts, it is imperative that we ensure that there is funding to guarantee that every child has access to an early childhood seat regardless of their family’s financial status. Thusly, LAFORCE is guided by the following goals:
Provide parent education, resources, and support for early childhood families through building a collaborative, community resource and referral program.
Fundraising and other measures to access additional funding to increase the availability of high-quality early childhood seats.
Expand access to the diverse delivery and microcenter partnership models.
Provide workforce development & financial literacy training, and internship placement for children and adults.
Expand Scholarship offerings for families through parent scholarships to finish education training courses (undergraduate or certification) and child care tuition scholarships for eligible children.
Combat food insecurity through strategic partnerships with local food distributors and pantries.
Work with local early childhood networks to develop strong systems of family and educator support to increase student development and positive outcomes.
Develop a Collaborative Partnership with community stakeholders to distribute early childhood resources to newborn families at local hospitals.
Our Accomplishments
August 2024:
An Executive Director, Dr. Leigh Jefferson, was hired to lead the strategic planning and implementation of LAFORCE’s goals.
September 2024:
Board President Tessa Holloway was a speaker at the Inaugural Rural Child Care Forum in Washington D.C. (Pictures in Gallery).
We awarded the first parent scholarship to Briante Edmond, a young mother of three young children, two of whom are under the age of four and one that is in first grade. Because of the Focus and Finish Parent Scholarship, Briante was able to remain enrolled in her last semester of school and subsequently graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in December 2024 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Briante is currently employed as an assistant teacher at a local charter school system and enrolled in a teacher certification program for Secondary Math Education and in graduate school to earn an MBA. She is looking forward to becoming a fully certified middle school math teacher upon earning her teacher certification. (Pictures in Gallery).
October 2024:
We were awarded a one-year contract to administer the Calcasieu Parish Ready Start Network to facilitate implementation of the goals of their early childhood blueprint.
Executive Director Dr. Jefferson was appointed to Baton Rouge Area Foundation’s (BRAF) East Baton Rouge Parish Early Childhood Education Task Force.
November 2024:
Dr. Jefferson assisted Calcasieu’s RSN in hosting their first Handy Helpers Event for the Community (Pictures in gallery).
December 2024:
Donated $1900 to the EBR Parish School System Federal Programs office to help purchase Christmas gifts for students in transition (Homeless and Foster Children).
Due to our success, we were awarded a 2nd year contract (2025-2026) to administer the Calcasieu Parish Ready Start Network.
January 2025:
Dr. Jefferson was appointed to Mayor Sid Edwards’ Education Transition Committee.
A project Manager, Nina Chesterfield, was hired to assist Dr. Jefferson with implementation of LAFORCE’s strategic plans.
Completed program development for the Family Connection Camp Program with anticipation of sessions starting in March 2025.
Began Developing the Resource and Referral Network Program for pilot implementation at Kidz Karousel Child Care Centers March-July. With a successful pilot, we look forward to implementation community wide in August 2025.
February 2025:
Added 12 new board members to LAFORCE’s Board of Directors who are community leaders and activists in the Metro area.
Board President Tessa Holloway and Project Manager Nina Harris were speakers at United Way’s Early Education Day Program at the Kidz Karousel at Crestworth Microcenter.
Board President Tessa Holloway was appointed by Governor Landry to the Louisiana Early Childhood Care and Education Commission.
Sponsored 150 books to be distributed to children at the “Reading & Rhythm with tha Hip Hop Doc” event at LASM on March 2nd.
March 2025:
March 11th- First Governing Board Meeting held for the 2025 Fiscal Year
March 22nd- Tentative launch date for “LAFORCE Connection Camp” Pilot at Kidz Karousel Childcare Centers.
Official launch of the family referral system.
Application release for a high school intern interested in early childhood and community service.
Application opens for “EC Parent Focus & Finish Scholarship- 2025.”
Louisiana Alliance Focused on Redefining Communities Everywhere
