Twenty spots are available in a program that brings pre-kindergarten education to early child care centers in Monroe.Monroe City Schools partnered with the Children's Coalition of Northeast Louisiana to receive a Federal Pre-K Expansion Grant. The grant places Monroe City Schools teachers in two classrooms at Little Flower Academy and one at Majestic Youth Development.
Maureen Gallagher, director of operations and early childhood with the Children's Coalition, said the students receive the same education and services as they would at a public school campus, including access to speech and occupational therapists.
Gallagher said the classes partner with other city schools so the students and the teachers feel more connected, and Jacqueline Matthews, the early childhood coordinator for Monroe City Schools, said the students wear the uniform colors of their partner schools. She said the classes are like those at Lincoln, Clara Hall or Lexington elementary schools.
Matthews said there are 16 open slots at Little Flower Academy and four at Majestic Youth Development.
Anyone out there with a child who will be 4 by Sept. 30 of this year should take advantage of this free opportunity," Matthews said.
The slots are open to 4-year-olds who qualify for free and reduced lunch. Monroe City Schools is one of six districts in Louisiana that was chosen to be part of a national program that places certified teachers at neighborhood child care centers.

A healthier lifestyle is promoted in Dia De La Familia.  The 5th annual event is celebrated Saturday at Lake D'Arbonne State Park.

Children's Coalition of Northeast Louisiana Healthy Living Coordinator Mary Barrios describes the day as an opportunity to promote resources about a healthier lifestyle, "but we also wanted to have the community together, to identify ways for families to be more active and to be outside.  This event is a perfect fit."

Along with games and activities for kids, an interactive station is set for the younger crowd.  Kayak instruction, live music, and authentic food made onsite can be enjoyed by adults.
​
Barrios says in addition to the area's Hispanic community, those interested in family activities and outdoor recreation are welcome to attend.  The celebration is from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Lake D'Arbonne State Park. 

MONROE, La (KNOE 8 News)- One organization is taking great strides to help reduce the number of teen pregnancies and help support teen parents. 
UnitedHealthcare presented a $50,000 check to the Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana. 
Northeast Louisiana has one of the highest teen birth rates of 55.6 births per one thousand teens. 
The grant will help improve teen pregnancy outcomes and give those who are pregnant a resource to be better educated. 
"Well one of the missions of United Healthcare is to help people live healthier lives and as we did our research we are not just a medicaid provider we actually look for areas of need in the state where we can actually improve health outcomes," says Dr. Ann Kay Logarbo, chief medical officer of UnitedHealthcare. 
"This check will help us continue our efforts with parent education and strategies for young mothers and we have an evidence based program that we use on all of our services, nurturing families and triple P is one of the curriculums with use with girls," says Gatha Green, parent education director for Children's Coalition of Northeast Louisiana.

The Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana on Wednesday received a $50,000 community grant from UnitedHealthcare to help support teen parents and improve pregnancy outcomes for Louisiana teens.
The grant will help improve teen pregnancy outcomes through the school site, Jus4Me, which places the evidence-based “Nurturing Skills for Teen Parents” at the heart of a weekly site-based program for pregnant teens and teen parents.
The project will serve pregnant teens in Ouachita, Union and Madison parishes, and will be located in four high schools.
UnitedHealthcare representatives gave the grant funding to the Children’s Coalition on Wednesday during a ceremony at Carroll High School.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 15 percent of Louisiana’s babies are born before term, the second-highest rate in the nation compared to the national average of 11.5 percent. Babies born before term are at a higher risk of developing health complications that can adversely affect vision, hearing, heart rate, blood health, immune systems and breathing.
Northeastern Louisiana has a teen birth rate of 55.6 teen births per 1,000 teens, more than twice the national average teen birth rate of 26.6 per 1,000.
In Union Parish, the growing Hispanic population has a birth rate of 98 per 1,000, almost five times the state average. Repeat births for teens in Union Parish are some of the highest in the region at 20 percent. The teen birth rate in Ouachita Parish is 57.8 per 1,000, and 50 per 1,000 in Madison Parish.
The Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana is a membership-based nonprofit organization dedicated to creating communities where children and families thrive. It addresses the needs of children and youth ages 0-18 in four main areas: early care and education, healthy living, parent education and youth development.