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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 139
BY SENATOR JACKSON
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request that the Department of Children and Family Services, Department of
Education, Department of Health and Hospitals, the Children's Cabinet and its
advisory board work together with the BrightStart staff to carry out the work of
BrightStart.
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 that 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, BrightStart has been in existence for eight years and a statewide needs
assessment, strategic plan and implementation plan have been completed; 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 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 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 SR NO. 139 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, the ongoing work of BrightStart requires a joint effort and partnership
between the Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Education,
Department of Health and Hospitals, 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 Louisiana Senate 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 Senate of the Louisiana Legislature does
hereby urge and request that the Department of Children and Family Services, Department
of Education, Department of Health and Hospitals, 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 shall report to the Senate Committee
on Health and Welfare on its progress by 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, the secretary of the Department of Children and
Family Services, the Superintendent of Education, and the secretary of the Department of
Health and Hospitals.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE