Members in the News

With a new legislative session on the horizon, Louisiana's early childhood education advocates are gearing up for a critical year--focused on protecting and expanding funding for young children across the state.

Libbie Sonnier, CEO of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, continues to be a leading voice in this effort. In her seven years at the helm, she has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the importance of early childhood education for children, families, and Louisiana's long-term economic health.

Advocates are navigating significant challenges following funding cuts over the past two years. While some funding was restored after public outcry, hundreds of early childhood education seats were still lost--and remain unrestored. Research continues to underscore the importance of early education: children from low-income families who attend preschool are far more likely to enter kindergarten with foundational reading skills, setting the stage for long-term success.

Libbie emphasizes that early childhood education is both an economic and workforce issue. When families lack access to quality child care, parents are unable to fully participate in the workforce costing Louisiana an estimated $1.3 billion annually due to child care breakdowns.

Looking ahead, priorities include maintaining current funding levels, strengthening the Early Childhood Education Fund, expanding access to public meetings for families and providers, and improving data systems to better measure the long-term impact of early education.

As Libbie notes, investing in children from birth through age four yields lasting benefits, not only for children and families, but for the future strength of Louisiana itself.