​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.

​For your family dinner try something easy like pizza or tacos. Here is a creative twist with Tacos on a Stick!
 
Ingredients:

• 1 envelope taco seasoning
• 1 cup tomato juice
• 2 tablespoons canola or avocado oil
• 2 pounds beef top sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 medium green pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 medium sweet red pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 large onion, cut into wedges
• 16 cherry tomatoes
• Salsa con queso or sour cream, optional

 
Directions:

1. In a large shallow dish, combine the taco seasoning, tomato juice and oil; mix well.
2. Remove 1/2 cup for basting; refrigerate. Add beef and turn to coat.
3. Cover; refrigerate for at least 5 hours.
4. Drain and discard marinade from beef.
5. On metal or soaked wooden skewers, alternately thread beef, peppers, onion and tomatoes. Kids love to help with this step!
6. Grill, uncovered, over medium heat for 3 minutes on each side.
7. Baste with reserved marinade.
8. Continue turning and basting until meat reaches desired doneness, 8-10 minutes.
9. If desired, serve with salsa con queso or sour cream.

Tag us on social media with your family fun recipe!

The Louisiana Department of Education announced changes to the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which provides federal funds to help low-income working families pay for child care. The changes, approved during today’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting, enable more Louisiana families to afford and qualify for child care assistance. 

​Effective February 1, 2021:

• CCAP daily reimbursement rates will be increased to reflect the state’s current market rates for child care, significantly reducing out of pocket cost for working families and increasing family choice.
• Income eligibility will be increased to 65% of the State Median Income (SMI) in order to align with other child care programs, allowing families to make more income and still qualify for child care subsidy (CCAP).
• Providers will be reimbursed at the state’s newly established daily reimbursement rate irrespective of their own rates to assist with paying toward the true cost of quality child care.

“To reach our goal of ensuring all students are ready for kindergarten, it’s vital that we increase access to high-quality child care for Louisiana’s most vulnerable children,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “This shift puts higher quality programs within the reach of families who need them.”

Historically, families receiving child care assistance have been limited in their options by what they can afford with the help of child care assistance. Current CCAP reimbursement rates provide access to approximately one in four centers. The rate increase will allow CCAP-eligible families to choose between three in every four centers. This change will help ensure that more low-income families that are working, in school or actively seeking work can access high-quality child care for their children.

This will expand options for families who couldn’t previously afford the gap between what a provider charged and what the state pays, and thereby, open the door to families who could not previously afford child care at all.

“These necessary updates to the CCAP program help to address the real financial needs of low-income families regarding child care,” said BESE President Sandy Holloway. “Raising the reimbursement rates and expanding income eligibility will greatly increase the number of quality child care options for more families across the state that need assistance, and that ultimately leads to more children being prepared to learn on day one of kindergarten.”

“The proposed changes to the CCAP rates are one of the most significant and impactful measures we can take that will have lifelong impacts on our youngest learners,” said Alan Young, Owner of Southland Park Learning Center and Early Childhood Advisory Council Member. “These proposed changes will provide families access to additional high-quality early learning centers,ensuring every child is ready to learn when they enter kindergarten.”  

"The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children applauds the Louisiana Department of Education and BESE for making the necessary changes to both the reimbursement rates and eligibility criteria of the Child Care Assistance Program,” said Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Dr. Libbie Sonnier. “These changes will help more Louisiana families get back to work to support our economy as well as support the growth and development of young children entering kindergarten ready to learn.” 

The income eligibility for CCAP is being increased to approximately 200% of the federal poverty level or $43,440 for a family of three. Along with making child care affordable for more families, this change also better aligns CCAP’s income eligibility with other early childhood programs like LA 4. 

​The policy changes are part of a broader effort by the Department — in collaboration with BESE, child care providers, advocates and families — to unify the system of early childhood education and to prepare all children for kindergarten by increasing access to and affordability of child care statewide.

See a full list of all openings in Ouachita Parish as of December 21, 2020. Please call our office if you would like assistance in applying. 318-323-8775.

​The Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana is a charity organization devoted to seeing to the health and development of local children. With over 20 different programs across northern Louisiana, members of the Children’s Coalition work tirelessly to see that all the needs of local children are met. As a Louisiana Child Care Resources and Referral Agency, the Children’s Coalition is authorized to receive donations through the School Readiness Tax Credit program. The SRTC program allows local businesses to support the Coalition with charitable donations and receive dollar-for-dollar credits on their state taxes, up to a maximum amount of $5000. These donations help the Coalition expand its early education programs, many of which focus on the development of children under 5 years old.

The deadline to receive tax credits is fast approaching; all donations must be postmarked by December 31, 2020, in order to process them for next year’s tax return. This is an excellent opportunity for local businesses to support their community, help low-income families access education resources, and receive a sizable break on their taxes. Research has shown that children under age 3 absorb information at an incredible rate compared to even just a few years later. Seeing to children’s development at a young age helps them develop critical thinking and social skills. Businesses that donate through the SRTC program can actually see their tax dollars put to use in the education of local children, and there is no minimum requirement! So, if you or someone you know has a business please consider participating in the SRTC program. For more information, or to make a SRTC donation, please click on the link below.

If you click the button below, you will find the childcare guidelines for Phase II. If you have any questions, please call at 318-323-8775.