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Regular Session, 2011
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 139
BY SENATOR JACKSON
CHILDREN. Requests that DCFS, DOE, DHH, the Children's Cabinet and its advisory
board work together with the BrightStart staff to carry out the work of BrightStart.
A RESOLUTION1
To urge and request that the Department of Children and Family Services, Department of2
Education, Department of Health and Hospitals, the Children's Cabinet and its3
advisory board work together with the BrightStart staff to carry out the work of4
BrightStart.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 that improve basic social, emotional, and cognitive11
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, BrightStart has been in existence for eight years and a statewide needs15
assessment, strategic plan and implementation plan have been completed; and16
WHEREAS, the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 authorizes17
the governor of each state to designate a state Early Childhood Advisory Council to improve18 SR NO. 139
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the quality, availability, and coordination of services for children from birth to school entry;1
and2
WHEREAS, the governor has designated BrightStart to serve as Louisiana's Early3
Childhood Advisory Council to carry out the responsibilities required by the Improving4
Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007; 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, Department of Education,10
Department of Health and Hospitals, 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; and 14
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Senate has a representative on the BrightStart Advisory15
Council and recognizes and acknowledges the significant potential contributions of16
BrightStart for Louisiana's young children and their families.17
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Louisiana Legislature does18
hereby urge and request that the Department of Children and Family Services, Department19
of Education, Department of Health and Hospitals, the Children's Cabinet and its advisory20
board work together with the BrightStart staff to carry out the work of BrightStart.21
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that BrightStart shall report to the Senate Committee22
on Health and Welfare on its progress by January 31, 2012, and at six month intervals23
thereafter until the end of the grant initiative.24
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the25
executive director of the Children's Cabinet, the secretary of the Department of Children and26
Family Services, the Superintendent of Education, and the secretary of the Department of27
Health and Hospitals.28 SR NO. 139
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Greg Waddell.
DIGEST
Jackson SR No. 139
Requests that DCFS, DOE, DHH, the Children's Cabinet and its advisory board work
together with the BrightStart staff to carry out the work of BrightStart.