The Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, Louisiana Tech University, and SciTEC invite you to the inaugural Early Childhood Virtual Symposium!
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Due to the special legislative tax session, which impacted the availability of some of our attendees, we have shifted the event to a virtual format to ensure everyone can participate without scheduling conflicts.
This means you can now join us from wherever you are! Event Details
Our virtual event will still deliver the same impactful sessions and inspiring speakers—all accessible from the comfort of wherever you are. We’ll be using Zoom Events, which makes it easy to join sessions, participate in discussions, and connect with other attendees. |
Symposium Overview
The inaugural Early Childhood Symposium will be held virtually on November 15, 2024. The symposium will feature a comprehensive online only program of breakout seminars designed to underscore the economic impacts, the significance of child development, and the critical need for increased access to early childhood education. Drawing on data and research, participants will explore local funding strategies, the impact of child care on businesses and communities, and current early care and education research and projects across the state. Researchers, policymakers, business leaders, ECE system leaders, and community leaders are invited to register to attend this virtual event at no cost.
Attendees of the symposium will select virtual workshops from the following tracks:
Attendees of the symposium will select virtual workshops from the following tracks:
- Comprehensive Supports for Families: Attendees in this track will hear presentations about various support systems’ impact on families
- Funding Mechanisms for Early Childhood Education: Attendees in this track will hear presentations about creative local funding streams available for early childhood programs and supports
- Workforce Implications: Attendees in this track will hear presentations about workforce challenges and opportunities associated with providing quality early childhood care and education
Workshops & Tracks
(NOT ALL LISTED)
Comprehensive Support for Families
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Latinos in Louisiana: Access and Quality Considerations for an Equitable Early Childhood System
Presenter: Emmy O’Dwyer, Advancing Communities for Equity Come hear about recent research and family insights from three communities in Louisiana committed to increasing access to quality early care in Louisiana. Advancing Communities for Equity will share data, listening session and survey insights, and best practices from work with Jefferson, Orleans, and Lafayette parishes. There will be information that will support policy and programs. |
Children’s Mental Health: Challenges and Solutions in Louisiana
Presenter: Dr. Matthew Thornton, Center for Children and Families This presentation will address the significant mental health issues affecting children in the state, highlighting the prevalence of these concerns and the ongoing shortage of mental health providers. We will examine the impact of trauma on young children and discuss effective, evidence-based strategies for intervention and support. This session aims to enhance awareness and collaboration among stakeholders to improve mental health outcomes for Louisiana’s children. |
Funding Mechanisms for Early Childhood Education
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Local Funding Toolkit for Strengthening Early Care and Education in Louisiana Communities
Presenter: Dr. Candace Weber, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children The session is designed to help localities in Louisiana, including cities and parishes, understand potential funding levers for strengthening their local early care and education systems regardless of how well-established their current early care and education system is. Each toolkit section provides background information and guidance to support communities that want to expand access to quality early care and education programs. |
The Impact of Early Child Care in Louisiana
Presenter: Dr. Jordan Thibodeaux and Eric Mills, Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center at the University of Louisiana Lafayette The following presentation will focus on the topic of childcare in Louisiana by highlighting the recent Blanco Center Policy Brief, “Child Care and the Economy,” which illustrates the impact of early care and education on Louisiana’s employers. During this session, the panelists will discuss the implications of early care and education on workforce, child development, and family opportunity in Louisiana. |
Workforce Implications
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Policy Research and Support of ECE in Louisiana
Presenter: Dr. Jordan Thibodeaux and Eric Mills, Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center at the University of Louisiana Lafayette The following presentation will showcase two collaborative projects between the Blanco Center and the Louisiana Department of Education that use policy research to address early care and education challenges. One project evaluates an initiative that aims to reduce turnover in the early care workforce. A second project leverages a data-driven approach to forecast the needs of Louisiana’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). The presentation will highlight the importance of research, data, and evaluation for policy makers. |
Benefits of High Quality Preschool Education: Building the Foundation for a Better World
Presenter: Dr. Joyce Farrow, Louisiana State University Shreveport This workshop examines the benefits and outcomes of a high quality preschool education for the children who attend in the long and short term, their families, their communities and the world. |
