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Regular Session, 2011
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 121
BY REPRESENTATIVE PATRICIA SMITH
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the state agencies which participate in BrightStart to coordinate policy,
budget planning, infrastructure, and services that support the development of an early
childhood system for Louisiana and to report progress to the House Committee on
Health and Welfare.
WHEREAS, a strong society is achieved by ensuring that our youngest citizens grow
up to be productive, healthy members of the community; and
WHEREAS, a child's most important brain development occurs before age five and
provides the foundation for later social, emotional, and cognitive skill development; and
WHEREAS, studies conducted by noted economists have demonstrated the value of
investments in early childhood programs which improve basic social, emotional, and
cognitive skills of young children at the earliest possible age; and
WHEREAS, investment in high-quality early childhood programs has an immediate
economic development impact as well as long-term economic benefits; and
WHEREAS, the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 authorizes
the governor of each state to designate a state Early Childhood Advisory Council to improve
the quality, availability, and coordination of services for children from birth to school entry;
and
WHEREAS, the governor of Louisiana has designated BrightStart to serve as
Louisiana's Early Childhood Advisory Council to carry out the responsibilities required by
the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007; and
WHEREAS, BrightStart has been in existence for eight years and a statewide needs
assessment, strategic plan, and implementation plan have been completed; and ENROLLEDHR NO. 121
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WHEREAS, BrightStart has successfully applied for and received a grant award for
a three-year effort to facilitate the building of an early childhood system to enhance
children's ability to enter school healthy and ready to learn; and
WHEREAS, the ongoing work of BrightStart requires a joint effort and partnership
between the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Education, the
Department of Health and Hospitals, and the Children's Cabinet and its advisory board; and
WHEREAS, the BrightStart Early Childhood Advisory Council includes members
or representatives of agencies and nongovernmental organizations that serve the needs of
young children and their families; and
WHEREAS, the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana has a
representative on the BrightStart Advisory Council and recognizes and acknowledges the
significant potential contributions of BrightStart for Louisiana's young children and their
families.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request that the Department of Children and
Family Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Hospitals, and
the Children's Cabinet and its advisory board work together with the BrightStart staff to
carry out the work of BrightStart.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that BrightStart report to the House Committee on
Health and Welfare on its progress on or before January 31, 2012, and at six-month intervals
thereafter until the end of the grant initiative.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
executive director of the Children's Cabinet in the office of the governor, the secretary of the
Department of Children and Family Services, the state superintendent of education, and the
secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES