<![CDATA[CHILDRENS COALITION FOR NORTHEAST LOUISIANA - News]]>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:51:00 -0500EditMySite<![CDATA[CHRISTMAS IN JULY BRINGS HOPE BACK TO BASTROP]]>Sat, 17 Jul 2021 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.childrenscoalition.org/news/christmas-in-july-brings-hope-back-to-bastropKNOE | Families in Bastrop got the chance to shop for free on July 17. It was a part of the Inaugural Christmas in July event. The items at the event are meant to help heal the community.

Several devastating murders have happened in Bastrop, this year alone. Organizers say this event is a way to bring hope back to the community.

“I just started embracing people and telling them God bless you; we’re here with you, hold on stay strong,” said Paula Jones, New Morning Star “Go Get It” Outreach President.

​The Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana and New Morning Star “Go Get It Outreach” joined forces to bring Christmas in July.

To read the full article, click the button below.
Read Article Here
]]><![CDATA[TIME TO TALK | HYGIENE]]>Wed, 30 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.childrenscoalition.org/news/time-to-talk-hygienePicture
Bayou Life Magazine | Hygiene is the practice of maintaining health and preventing disease through cleanliness. Healthy hygiene practices can be a touchy subject with your pre-teen and teen children. As they grow, their bodies are maturing faster than their grooming practices. As parents, we want to offer support, while making it clear that personal hygiene is their responsibility. As they begin to experience puberty or some of the changes that happen when their bodies change from a child to a young adult. These changes typically begin around the ages of 10 and 14, while some may start earlier and some begin later, everyone eventually will go through it! Forming these healthy habits are important for your teen’s physical, mental, and emotional health.

To read the full article, click the button below.
hygiene
]]><![CDATA[BESE AWARDS $30 MILLION TO READY START NETWORKS TO KICKSTART LA BIRTH TO THREE + EXPAND ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CARE + EDUCATION]]>Wed, 28 Apr 2021 19:54:57 GMThttps://www.childrenscoalition.org/news/bese-awards-30-million-to-ready-start-networks-to-kickstart-la-birth-to-three-expand-access-to-high-quality-early-care-educationThe Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approved the allocation of more than $30 million to communities to fund 2,970 seats in child care for children birth through age 3 (B-3) for the 2021-2022 school year. Along with sustaining the 660 B-3 seats allocated last year, the move to kickstart LA B to 3 with federal funding includes the creation of 2,310 new B-3 seats. These seats are awarded to 22 Louisiana communities, all of which are Ready Start Networks. These networks are local community pilots tasked with improving access to quality early childhood care and education.
 
“I applaud our BESE members for this critical investment in our children and our state,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “These funds will remove the financial barrier that exists for thousands of Louisiana families and allow them to provide their children with high-quality early childhood care and education.”
 
This funding allows eligible families to receive tuition-free seats if they are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and working or attending school or actively seeking employment. Through a combination of Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) and Preschool Development Birth through Five (PDG B-5) Renewal Grant funding, BESE awarded a total of $30,193,636 during its April meeting. 
 
“It is critically important to expand access to quality early childhood learning throughout Louisiana,” said BESE President and Early Childhood Care and Education Commission member Sandy Holloway. “The allocation of these federal dollars will support the work of local Ready Start Networks to engage and serve more of our state’s youngest learners, boost child care options for families and make a significant impact for those in greatest need of assistance.”
 
Ready Start Networks will offer B-3 seats in partnership with Type III child care centers rated Proficient or higher and in classrooms with teachers who have or are on the path to earning the Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate (ECAC). This funding will also allow networks to support the quality of the classroom where the seats are located, through measures such as educator professional development or tier 1 curriculum and classroom material purchases.
 
"The Vermilion Parish Early Childhood Network is overjoyed to have been granted funding to support additional birth to 3-year-old seats for our community,” said Vermilion Parish School System Early Childhood Supervisor Lola Thomas. “This will provide families in areas across our parish who have few options for early care with the chance to access quality education and care for their children. "
 
This marks the second year of the B-3 seats pilot. In the 2020-2021 school year, the Department funded 660 seats in thirteen Ready Start Networks using PDG Renewal Grant funding. The recent CRRSA Act funding allows the pilot to nearly double the number of communities receiving seats in 2021-2022, quadrupling the total number of children served. 
 
In Louisiana, even prior to the pandemic, fewer than 7 percent of in-need children birth to two years old, and less than 33 percent of three year olds have access to high-quality child care. The federal stimulus packages provide a bridge to 2024 and an opportunity to address these access challenges in the short-term. However, there must be state and local efforts to sustain these seats no later than 2024 to meaningfully expand access to high-quality early care and education options for families in every parish in the state in the long-term. As part of that work, Ready Start Networks will create funding and sustainability plans to help ensure the tenability of these seats beyond the timeframe of the grant.
 
Participating Ready Start Networks in year two of the B-3 seats pilot program are Caddo Parish Schools, Calcasieu Parish Schools, East Baton Rouge Parish School Systems, Iberville Parish Schools, Jefferson Parish Schools, Lafayette Parish School Systems, Lincoln Parish Schools, Delta Community Action Agency (lead agency for Madison Parish), Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana (lead agency for Morehouse and Richland Parishes), Natchitoches Parish School Board, Agenda for Children (lead agency for Orleans Parish), Rapides Parish School Board, Sabine Parish Schools, St. Charles Parish Public Schools, St. Landry Parish School Board, St. Mary Community Action Agency, Inc., Tangipahoa Parish School System, Vermillion Parish School District, Washington Parish School System, Webster Parish School Board and West Baton Rouge Parish School Board.]]><![CDATA[CENTER IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROVIDES NEEDED MATERIALS + RESOURCES]]>Thu, 15 Apr 2021 17:37:59 GMThttps://www.childrenscoalition.org/news/center-improvement-grant-provides-needed-materials-resources
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​Louisiana Tech University Early Childhood Education Center was one of 49 childcare centers to receive the Center Improvement Grant provided by School Readiness Tax Credits. Pictured here is a student who built a log cabin out of Magnatiles purchased through this grant.

The purpose of Center Improvement Grant is to provide centers with funding to make needed improvements to the physical environment of the learning space or purchase needed learning materials that will improve the center’s indoor and outdoor learning spaces. We awarded 15 Family Child Care Providers and 35 Child Care Centers with this grant.
]]><![CDATA[CHILDREN'S COALITION SPONSORS A HERON ON THE BAYOU]]>Wed, 14 Apr 2021 20:04:58 GMThttps://www.childrenscoalition.org/news/childrens-coalition-sponsors-a-heron-on-the-bayou
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Herons on the Bayou is the largest public art project in Northeast Louisiana, and began with grant writing in 2017. Wave 2 Herons on the Bayou, unveiled on April 10th, included a heron sponsored by the Children's Coalition and painted by students at West Ridge Middle Talented Art. This heron will be installed and featured in our family garden. 

Dr. Leigh Hersey, a board member at the Coalition states, "I am so excited that one of the Herons on the Bayou will be featured in the Origin Bank Family Garden at the Children's Coalition. The students at West Ridge Middle Talented Art did a beautiful job painting the butterflies and we are honored to be its home. Having students paint our heron ties into our mission of creating communities where children and families thrive. The heron will bring joy to everyone who visits the garden."
]]><![CDATA[TIME TO TALK | SOCIAL ANXIETY]]>Thu, 01 Apr 2021 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.childrenscoalition.org/news/time-to-talk-social-anxietyPicture
Bayou Life Magazine | Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common but under-diagnosed mental health condition experienced across different age groups and cultures. Social anxiety disorder can have an effect on your ability to attend school and work at a job. Starting in a new place, making friends, giving presentations, eating with others—these and other aspects of school and work are all triggers for those with social anxiety. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with SAD or you think you may be experiencing symptoms of the disorder, learning more about what to expect can help. 

To read the rest of April's segment, click the button below.
Social Anxiety
]]><![CDATA[CHILDREN’S COALITION CELEBRATES SUCCESSES IN A CHALLENGING YEAR + ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS, OFFICERS, + AWARDS]]>Fri, 26 Mar 2021 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.childrenscoalition.org/news/childrens-coalition-celebrates-successes-in-a-challenging-year-announces-new-board-members-officers-awardsMonroe, LA – Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana (CCNELA) held their Annual Meeting virtually on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. A few highlights from the year were:
  • Over 150 child care programs received personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies to assist them in reopening their centers.
  • Since July 2020 in the midst of the pandemic, CCNELA has provided over 500 coaching sessions and trainings to child care centers throughout our region.
  • More than 300 Al’s Pals lessons have been taught. This national program gives children tools to identify and manage their emotions.
  • CCNELA has given hundreds of free gardening, activity kits, and school supplies to families in our community through our Drive-Thru Super Saturday events.
  • Over 130 children have been served in our Early Head Start centers, and 15 teachers have graduated from our Ancillary Teaching Certificate program.
  • 36 families have received an array of evidenced-based parenting services that support the development of healthy and caring behaviors in the Children’s Coalition Family Resource Center (FRC).
  • Hundreds of middle school students have been trained in the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program. CCNELA trained over 450 students in this program just in the last month.
  • There are 19 Student Ambassadors in our U-ACT program in Union Parish.
  • The Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems program hosted a virtual baby shower with 60+ participants receiving vital information and gifts.
  • Our Tulane Mental Health Consultation Team has been serving 17 child care centers.
  • 20 children served in our Pre-K Expansion program this year.

During this online Annual Meeting event, staff members and community award winners were recognized as well as new Board members and officers were elected.
  • Five-year staff members
    • Kelsey Brice, Larhonda Elzie, Aven Ford, Misti Guerrero, Sarsobu Jackson, Cara Johnson, Tamiko Johnson, Angie Naron, Ivy Parhms, and Roberta Walker.
  • Ten-year staff member
    • Mary Barrios
  • Award Winners 2020
    • Friend of the Coalition – Mike Walsworth
    • Volunteers of the Year – Sarah & Nathan Tremaine
    • Youth Volunteer of the Year – Hallie Winters
    • Saul Mintz Early Childhood Champion – Emily Williamson (posthumously)
  • Award Winners 2021
    • Friend of the Coalition – Stephanie Herrmann and Union Parish Library
    • Volunteer of the Year – Gerry Binkley
    • Saul Mintz Early Childhood Champion – Drax Biomass
  • Board of Directors 2021-2022
    • Cathy Agan, Kathryn Bagley, Denise Breard, Diana Breen, Caleb Burns, Tommy Carr, Stephanie Carter, Cathi Cox-Boniol, Andrew Dodson, Ashley Gilbert, David Hartt, Laura, Hartt, Leigh Hersey, Myisha Jackson, Jennifer Johnson, Lisa Kiper, Terry Matthews, Lisa Miller, Joe K. Montgomery, Alpa Patel, Cynthia Rodriguez, DeRon Talley, Patience Talley, and Mark Wilson
  • Board Members Completing Their Years of Service
    • Janis Barraza, Mark Parrish, and Carmen Sims
  • New Officers for the Board of Directors
    • Mark Wilson, President
    • Cynthia Rodriguez, Past President
    • Lisa Kiper, President-Elect
    • Alpa Patel, Secretary
    • David Hartt, Treasurer

“The support our center continues to receive from the Children’s Coalition during the COVID-19 pandemic has been immeasurable and unparalleled.” -Hillary & Don Liu, Ph.D., owners of Ruston Early Learning Center

“Child care is essential for pandemic response and economic recovery. Despite the key role child care providers are playing in support of other essential industries during the COVID-19 pandemic, the child care system as a whole is in crisis due to the economic impact. The Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana has taken action and has successfully shifted to meet great needs and challenges during the pandemic and extraordinary weather events in our region.” -Leann Bond, Executive Director]]><![CDATA[CCNELA'S ANNUAL REPORT RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS]]>Wed, 24 Mar 2021 19:51:52 GMThttps://www.childrenscoalition.org/news/ccnelas-annual-report-receives-prestigious-awards
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We are thrilled to share the news that our Annual Report won Best of Print and the Mosaic Award at the recent Addy Awards. These awards for advertising and public awareness recognize the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising and communications. The Mosaic Award is given to a project that honors diversity and inclusion. A huge thank you and congratulations toNewcomer, Morris & Young!
READ ANNUAL REPORT
]]><![CDATA[DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL 2021]]>Mon, 22 Mar 2021 13:44:39 GMThttps://www.childrenscoalition.org/news/dragon-boat-festival-2021​The Children's Coalition Dragon Boat Festival will not return in 2021. Due to the risks associated with COVID-19 and spreading it to others, specifically with the CDC guidelines of not being within 6 feet of others for a cumulative total of 15 minutes in a 24-hour period, we have made the decision to cancel the event again this year. Your health and safety continue to be our priority, and we encourage everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools we have available — wearing masks, staying at least 6 feet from people who do not live with you, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, washing your hands frequently, and getting vaccinated.

This fun, family-friendly event will be sorely missed. Not only has Dragon Boat been an important fundraising endeavor for the Children’s Coalition, but it was a great time for our community to gather outdoors and cheer on teams of local schools and businesses that competed for the fastest time.
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Dragon Boat has supported underfunded programs like Signs of Suicide, Nurturing Fatherhood, Healthy Living, and Youth Development as well as our Children's Coalition Family Garden.​ In this challenging year, we still need your support. If you are able, please click below to learn how you can give to the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana. 

We hope to host the Dragon Boat Festival in 2022 and see you there!
DONATE HERE
]]><![CDATA[TIME TO TALK | YOUTH LEADERSHIP]]>Thu, 18 Mar 2021 15:50:36 GMThttps://www.childrenscoalition.org/news/time-to-talk-youth-developmentPicture
Bayou Life Magazine | The development of leadership contributes greatly to the positive development of young people and their communities. Leadership skills, such as goal setting, problem-solving and sound decision-making, are not just necessary for leaders - these skills are needed for success in today's world. Helping young people develop leadership competencies makes them better able to solve community problems and enhances their civic participation. By supporting and engaging young leaders, adults, organizations, and communities experience direct benefits, through stronger connections to other young people in the community.

To read more, click the button below. 
Youth Leadership
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