Shreveport, LA (February 25, 2025) — In partnership with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (LPIC), Louisiana Early Childhood Business Roundtable, Louisiana Association of United Ways (LAUW), Louisiana Association of Business & Industry, and United Way of Northwest Louisiana, local legislators, business leaders, and community advocates gathered today for the Early Ed Month Leadership Convening for northwest Louisiana as part of the annual 2025 Louisiana Early Ed Month happening across Louisiana throughout February.
Advocates in the northwest Louisiana community highlighted the critical and ongoing need to increase and improve access to quality early childhood education for children, birth through age 4, throughout the state.
“Providing children with a strong start in life and supporting parents in the workforce is fundamental for thriving families and communities,” said United Way of Northwest Louisiana President & CEO LaToria W. Thomas. “With over 60% of Louisiana children starting kindergarten behind their peers and 56% of ALICE parents struggling to make ends meet, robust investments in early education are essential to secure a brighter future for our state.”
The event included a tour of a high-quality child care facility, the Providence House Child Development Center, offering attendees a firsthand look at the impact of high-quality early education and the challenges faced by child care providers and families.
“Louisiana loses over $1.3 billion in economic activity annually due to inadequate child care access,” said Dr. Libbie Sonnier, CEO of LPIC. “This loss highlights the urgency for legislators and business leaders to prioritize investments in early childhood education, which directly benefit children, families, and the economy.”
During the event, Executive Director of Providence House and Operator of the Child Development Center Verni Howard shared her perspective, “Our work supports not just the children we care for but also the parents contributing to Louisiana’s economy. We currently have 25 children enrolled, and one hundred percent of them attend because their parents are working or looking for jobs. Not only do the children have a safe place to go, but they are also provided with the educational tools needed for kindergarten readiness. Our FrogStreet Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) and Frog Street curriculum prepares our children to dream big at the earliest ages and ensures that all of them are ready for kindergarten. We’re proud to provide the highest quality 4-STAR, early childhood education for all children- housed or homeless.”
“As advocates for Louisiana’s youngest learners, we at LAUW understand the transformative power of early education,” said Sarah Berthelot, president and CEO of LAUW. “Research shows children who start school ready to learn are more likely to succeed academically and economically. By acting now, we can ensure all children in northwest Louisiana have the opportunity to thrive.”
Louisiana Early Ed Month underscores the importance of early investments, with studies showing a return on investment of at least 13% per year. This February, events across the state aim to inspire action among policymakers and community leaders to ensure Louisiana’s children and families have the support they need to succeed.
To learn more about early child care and education in Louisiana, please visit Policyinstitutela.org. Additionally, you can join in the conversation by using #LAEarlyEdMonth on social media.
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United Way of Northwest Louisiana: For more than 100 years, United Way of Northwest Louisiana has improved lives of individuals in our community. The organization fights for the education, health, and financial stability for everyone, while helping those in crisis. United Way of Northwest Louisiana serves agencies throughout a ten parish region, and operates a dozen human service programs of their own. Each United Way organization operates independently of each other and makes decisions by local leaders.
About Louisiana Policy Institute for Children: Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that Louisiana’s young children, from birth to age four, are best prepared for success in school and in life. The Policy Institute develops policy proposals informed by data, research, best practices and the experiences of other states to improve the outcomes of Louisiana’s youngest citizens, and further provides educational and outreach activities based on recommended policy solutions. The organization works to ensure children are safe, healthy and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.policyinstitutela.org and follow the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children on Facebook and Twitter.
About Louisiana Association of United Ways: The Louisiana Association of United Ways is an association of nine regional United Ways serving 53 parishes throughout Louisiana. Our mission is to integrate action and resources for the common good. We work across our communities to tackle challenges that affect individuals, families and whole communities — challenges that are ultimately bigger than any of us and impact our entire state. We are part of a global network of more than 1,800 United Ways, servicing communities in 41 countries.
