HLS 19RS-501 ENGROSSED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 38
BY REPRESENTATIVE LYONS
EARLY CHILDHOOD: Requests the state Dept. of Education, the La. Dept. of Health, and
the Dept. of Children and Family Services to work collaboratively to coordinate
opportunities and access to early childhood programs
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the state Department of Education, the Louisiana Department of Health,
3 and the Department of Children and Family Services to continue to work
4 collaboratively to coordinate opportunities and access to early childhood programs
5 at the state and local levels.
6 WHEREAS, studies have demonstrated the value of investments in early childhood
7programs that improve basic social, emotional, and cognitive skills of young children at the
8earliest possible age; and
9 WHEREAS, research has shown that investment in high-quality early childhood
10programs has an immediate economic development impact as well as long-term economic
11benefits; and
12 WHEREAS, state entities involved in the oversight or provision of early childhood
13programs should collaborate and integrate processes to the fullest extent possible and
14administer early childhood programs in such a way that ensures the safety, welfare, and
15healthy development of children; and
16 WHEREAS, R.S. 17:407.21 et seq., directs the State Board of Elementary and
17Secondary Education to create a comprehensive and integrated network through which it
18manages and oversees all programs funded through state or federal resources that provide
19early childhood care or educational services; and
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HCR NO. 38
1 WHEREAS, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved a
2framework to implement the Early Childhood Care and Education Network which was
3developed in collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Health, the Department of
4Children and Family Services, the Louisiana Early Childhood Advisory Council, the
5Nonpublic Schools Council, and the Child Care Association of Louisiana; and
6 WHEREAS, the framework to implement the Early Childhood Care and Education
7Network included the following:
8 (1) Funding based on performance and demand that ensures that all parents,
9regardless of income, have access to higher quality programs that prepare their child for
10success in school; and
11 (2) Clear and easy-to-understand information that allows families to make informed
12decisions about what program is best for their young children; and
13 (3) Resources and support to improve the quality of care and instruction to ensure
14all students have access to effective early childhood professionals; and
15 WHEREAS, this framework is necessary to inform continued collaboration and
16efforts among state agencies to ensure maximum effectiveness of the Early Childhood Care
17and Education Network, support to parents and child care providers, and appropriate
18oversight; and
19 WHEREAS, there is a continuing need for better coordination and collaboration
20among early childhood programs operating in the state, including more regular dialogue and
21increased information sharing among the various providers of such programs at all levels as
22well as school governing authorities, businesses, and local governments that participate in
23community networks.
24 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
25urge and request the state Department of Education, the Louisiana Department of Health,
26and the Department of Children and Family Services to continue to work collaboratively to
27coordinate opportunities and access to early childhood programs at the state and local levels.
28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state Department of Education shall submit
29a written report to the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on Education,
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HCR NO. 38
1the House Committee on Health and Welfare, and the Senate Committee on Health and
2Welfare on the status and progress of the collaboration by December 1, 2019.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
4state superintendent of education, the president of the State Board of Elementary and
5Secondary Education, the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, and the secretary
6of the Department of Children and Family Services.
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)]
HCR 38 Engrossed 2019 Regular Session Lyons
Requests the state Dept. of Education, the La. Dept. of Health, and the Dept. of Children and
Family Services to continue to work collaboratively to coordinate opportunities and access
to early childhood programs and provides for a written report by Dec. 1, 2019.
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