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Regular Session, 2013
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 76
BY SENATOR WALSWORTH
EARLY CHILDHOOD ED. Requests the Dept. of Education and the Dept. of Children and
Family Services to determine the feasibility of developing an operational plan to transfer the
Child Care Development Fund to the Department of Education.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the Department of Education and the Department of Children and2
Family Services to determine the feasibility of developing an operational plan for the3
transfer of the Child Care Development Fund to the Department of Education.4
WHEREAS, it is imperative that early childhood programs promote kindergarten5
readiness and sustain lifelong learning and achievement to significantly improve Louisiana6
child outcomes; and7
WHEREAS, publicly-funded early childhood programs should prioritize8
kindergarten readiness and public monies should fund programs that excel at achieving high9
levels of kindergarten readiness, or progression towards kindergarten readiness; and10
WHEREAS, parents who choose to send their children to publicly-funded early11
childhood programs should have clear, actionable information on the quality of the program12
available; and13
WHEREAS, providers of publicly-funded early childhood programs should be held14
accountable for the public monies they receive, but given the autonomy to implement an15
educational program that promotes and achieves kindergarten readiness without undue16
regulation; and 17
WHEREAS, state entities involved in the oversight or provision of early childhood18 SCR NO. 76
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programs should collaborate and integrate processes to the fullest extent possible, set1
standards for child development and educational achievement for young children that align2
with standards established for children enrolled in grades kindergarten through twelve, and3
administer early childhood programs in such a way that ensures the safety, welfare and4
healthy development of children; and5
WHEREAS, Act 3, known as the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Act, of the6
2012 Regular Legislative Session directed the State Board of Elementary and Secondary7
Education to create a comprehensive and integrated network through which to manage and8
oversee all programs funded through state or federal resources that provide early childhood9
care or educational services; and10
WHEREAS, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved a11
framework to implement the Early Childhood Care and Education Network which was12
developed in collaboration with the Department of Children and Family Services,13
Department of Health and Hospitals, the Louisiana Early Childhood Advisory Council,14
Nonpublic Schools Council and the Child Care Association of Louisiana; and15
WHEREAS, the framework to implement the Early Childhood Care and Education16
Network included the following:17
(a) fair and transparent outcome-based rating system, including letter grades, that18
rewards high performing programs and intervenes in persistently under-performing19
programs;20
(b) funding based on performance and demand that ensures all parents, regardless21
of income, have access to higher quality programs that prepare their child for success in22
school;23
(c) clear and easy-to-understand information that allows families to make informed24
decisions about what program is best for their young children; and25
(d) resources and support to improve the quality of care and instruction to ensure all26
students have access to effective early childhood professionals; and27
WHEREAS, the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of28
Children and Family Services, will launch pilot programs during the 2013-2014 fiscal year29
to test various strategies in practice and use results to fine-tune the use of child and program30 SCR NO. 76
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assessments, coordinate funding at the local level, evaluate the use of new licensing1
standards and the new Birth–Five Standards, as well as collect consolidated data from the2
Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Health and Hospitals, and the3
Department of Education; and4
WHEREAS, this work will inform continued integration efforts among state agencies5
needed to ensure maximum effectiveness of the Early Childhood Care and Education6
Network, support to child care providers, and appropriate oversight.7
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby8
urge and request the Department of Education and the Department of Children and Family9
Services to determine the feasibility of developing an operational plan for the transfer of the10
Child Care Development Fund lead agency authority and associated functions to the11
Department of Education no later than July 1, 2015, and submit any such plan developed12
to the House and Senate Committees on Education and Health and Welfare no later than13
sixty days prior to the convening of the 2014 Regular Session.14
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the15
state superintendent of education and the secretary of the Department of Children and16
Family Services.17
The original instrument was prepared by Alan Miller. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared
by Jeanne Johnston.
DIGEST
Walsworth SCR No. 76
Requests the Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Children and Family
Services (DCFS) to determine the feasibility of developing an operational plan for the
transfer of the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) lead agency authority and associated
functions to the Department of Education no later than July 1, 2015, and submit any such
plan developed to the House and Senate Committees on Education and Health and Welfare
no later than 60 days prior to the convening of the 2014 Regular Session.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
original bill
1. Requests DOE and DCFS to determine the feasibility of developing an
operational plan to transfer the Child Care Development Fund to DOE
instead of directing these departments to develop such a plan.