Supporting families through access to affordable, high-quality child care is critical for reducing financial insecurity and enabling parents—especially women—to participate fully in the workforce. In Louisiana, where the cost of child care is out of reach for many families, this issue is particularly urgent. I am committed to making child care accessible to every family, regardless of income, and investing in early childhood education to give every child a strong start.
Key Priorities for Louisiana:
- Statewide Child Care Assistance Program Expansion:
- Increase funding for Louisiana’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to provide more subsidies for low- and middle-income families.
- Implement sliding-scale subsidies so no family in Louisiana pays more than 7% of their income on child care, making this essential service more equitable and accessible.
- Early Childhood Education Investment:
- Expand funding for Louisiana’s LA 4 Early Childhood Program to ensure access to free, high-quality pre-kindergarten education for all 4-year-olds in the state.
- Provide additional funding to support high-quality care for children under age 4, especially in underserved rural and urban areas where access is limited.
- Workforce Development for Child Care Providers:
- Establish a Louisiana Early Educator Workforce Fund to train, recruit, and retain early childhood educators, ensuring they receive competitive wages and professional development opportunities.
- Create incentives for child care centers to meet or exceed state quality benchmarks, improving outcomes for children and families.
- Paid Family Leave for Louisiana Workers:
- Advocate for state-level paid family leave policies that give parents the flexibility to care for their children without risking their jobs or financial stability.
- Work with businesses to provide incentives for offering paid family leave, recognizing its role in building a healthier, more productive workforce.
- Support for Parents Beyond Child Care:
- Expand access to after-school programs and summer enrichment activities that reduce the strain on working parents while providing children with safe, engaging environments.
- Partner with community organizations to create family resource centers offering parenting classes, financial planning resources, and other support services.
These initiatives would not only ease the financial burden on families but also support child development and strengthen Louisiana’s economy by enabling more parents to stay in the workforce. By investing in families, we can create a more equitable, thriving Louisiana where every child has the opportunity to succeed.