In 2021, CFNLA established the Early Childhood Education Fund to expand access to, and enrollment in, quality early childhood education for Caddo and Bossier parish children, ages 0-3. With the help of generous donors, CFNLA raised $1 million for Caddo Parish and received a $1 million match from the state of Louisiana! As of July 2022, 102 children have been placed in childcare centers with these funds.
In conjunction with our efforts to increase the number of children attending Early Childcare Centers, CFNLA’s Step Forward is hosting a neighborhood series for parents and caregivers to discuss the importance of early childhood education.
The program is made possible with a $32,250 grant awarded by the Women’s Philanthropy Network to CFNLA’s Step Forward for the Neighborhood Network program. The purpose of the program is to facilitate meetings with community leaders, parents, and caregivers to improve school readiness by raising awareness about the importance of early brain development, kindergarten readiness, and available programs targeting children from birth to five.
CFNLA has identified Tiffany White, a talented, new Neighborhood Network Facilitator, to lead the great work of Step Forward’s program. This summer, Step Forward’s Neighborhood Network Program will host weekly events at the Shreve Memorial Library for children and families where attendees will learn about and discuss the importance of early childhood education, early brain development, and how to protect children from trauma. In addition to these events, Step Forward invites parents to join the Step Forward Virtual Parent Group on Facebook. The group promotes parental engagement that encourages early childhood literacy and also builds resilience and protective factors that strengthen the family’s ability to thrive.
Please help CFNLA and Step Forward spread the word about this great programming!