HLS 11RS-3479 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2011
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 121
BY REPRESENTATIVE PATRICIA SMITH
CHILDREN: Urges and requests that state agencies participating in BrightStart coordinate
policy, budget planning, infrastructure, and services and report progress to the House
Committee on Health and Welfare
A RESOLUTION1
To urge and request the state agencies which participate in BrightStart to coordinate policy,2
budget planning, infrastructure, and services that support the development of an early3
childhood system for Louisiana and to report progress to the House Committee on4
Health and Welfare.5
WHEREAS, a strong society is achieved by ensuring that our youngest citizens grow6
up to be productive, healthy members of the community; and7
WHEREAS, a child's most important brain development occurs before age five and8
provides the foundation for later social, emotional, and cognitive skill development; and9
WHEREAS, studies conducted by noted economists have demonstrated the value of10
investments in early childhood programs which improve basic social, emotional, and11
cognitive skills of young children at the earliest possible age; and12
WHEREAS, investment in high-quality early childhood programs has an immediate13
economic development impact as well as long-term economic benefits; and14
WHEREAS, the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 authorizes15
the governor of each state to designate a state Early Childhood Advisory Council to improve16
the quality, availability, and coordination of services for children from birth to school entry;17
and18 HLS 11RS-3479 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 121
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WHEREAS, the governor of Louisiana has designated BrightStart to serve as1
Louisiana's Early Childhood Advisory Council to carry out the responsibilities required by2
the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007; and3
WHEREAS, BrightStart has been in existence for eight years and a statewide needs4
assessment, strategic plan, and implementation plan have been completed; and5
WHEREAS, BrightStart has successfully applied for and received a grant award for6
a three-year effort to facilitate the building of an early childhood system to enhance7
children's ability to enter school healthy and ready to learn; and8
WHEREAS, the ongoing work of BrightStart requires a joint effort and partnership9
between the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Education, the10
Department of Health and Hospitals, and the Children's Cabinet and its advisory board; and11
WHEREAS, the BrightStart Early Childhood Advisory Council includes members12
or representatives of agencies and nongovernmental organizations that serve the needs of13
young children and their families; and14
WHEREAS, the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana has a15
representative on the BrightStart Advisory Council and recognizes and acknowledges the16
significant potential contributions of BrightStart for Louisiana's young children and their17
families.18
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the19
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request that the Department of Children and20
Family Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Hospitals, and21
the Children's Cabinet and its advisory board work together with the BrightStart staff to22
carry out the work of BrightStart.23
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that BrightStart report to the House Committee on24
Health and Welfare on its progress on or before January 31, 2012, and at six-month intervals25
thereafter until the end of the grant initiative.26
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the27
executive director of the Children's Cabinet in the office of the governor, the secretary of the28
Department of Children and Family Services, the state superintendent of education, and the29
secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals.30 HLS 11RS-3479 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 121
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Patricia Smith HR No. 121
Urges and requests that state agencies participating in BrightStart coordinate policy, budget
planning, infrastructure, and services and report progress to the House Committee on Health
and Welfare.