A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

During this time of uncertainty, our goal is to minimize risk to staff and the children in our care while still providing essential services to our community.

As of March 20, our main office and all Early Head Start Centers will be closed until April 13, at which time we will reevaluate. We will continue to provide classes remotely for our childcare providers in the Ancillary Teaching Certificate program, our Child Care Connections and our families in the Family Resource Center. We will also be working with our families in Early Head Start to provide remote support and supplies like diapers and wipes.

Many of our other programs are pivoting to address issues that are arising because of the shutdown. Tulane Mental Health Consultants are expanding services to use tele-health to address the mental health of childcare providers and the families they serve. Community- and school-based programs are gathering information about ways to help children, youth and families cope with the shutdown, and our Child Care Resource and referral has been activated by the state to work with hospitals to provide respite childcare for critical medical personnel.

We are also postponing events that can’t shift to remote delivery. Our Annual Meeting and Super Saturdays will be rescheduled. Please keep checking Facebook and our website for updates on coming events.

For now, know that the Children’s Coalition is committed to continuing to help our children and families thrive, even as we work remotely and shift some services online. Our doors may be closed, but our eyes, ears, and hearts are still open. Please feel free to contact staff via email if you have any questions or comments.

Sincerely, 
Lynn V. Clark, Ph.D
Executive Director
Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana