HLS 23RS-2675 REENGROSSED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 115
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCFARLAND
CHILDREN: Creates a task force to support the cross-agency work associated with the
recreation of Early Childhood Supports and Services program in this state
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To create a task force to support the cross-agency work associated with the creation of the
3 Early Childhood Supports and Services program in Louisiana and to hold the
4 Louisiana Department of Health accountable for the responsible and timely
5 development and delivery of the program.
6 WHEREAS, the Early Childhood Supports and Services (ECSS) program provides
7a coordinated system of screening, evaluation, referral services, and treatment for children,
8ranging from ages zero to five and their families; and
9 WHEREAS, the comprehensive services provided by ECSS fosters an environment
10for learning, growth, and relationship building; and
11 WHEREAS, the program includes but is not limited to local, integrated, and
12comprehensive systems of care for young children; and
13 WHEREAS, today, many families in Louisiana have been significantly impacted by
14the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in rural and low-income communities facing mental
15health service barriers for children; and
16 WHEREAS, Louisiana recently allocated available funds via the American Rescue
17Plan Act of 2021 and hopes to bring back a successful program that supports families with
18young children with mental health and wrap-around services; and
19 WHEREAS, the long-term success and sustainability of such a program requires a
20multidisciplinary approach and cross-collaboration of state agencies; and
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1 WHEREAS, the implementation of this program can significantly impact families
2in need of services while diverting such families from costly programs like child welfare
3interventions, the juvenile justice system, and lessening their dependance on social benefit
4programs; and
5 WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Louisiana Legislature to propose rules and
6regulations to utilize state funds for programs that pour into local communities and ensure
7the safety of Louisiana citizens.
8 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
9create a task force to support the cross-agency work associated with the creation of the Early
10Childhood Supports and Services program in Louisiana and to hold the Louisiana
11Department of Health accountable for the responsible and timely development and delivery
12of the program.
13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the council shall initially consist of the
14following members:
15 (1) The professor of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Public Health, Head of the Division
16of Pediatric Mental Health, from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
17School of Medicine or his designee.
18 (2) The director of the Tulane Medical School Institute of Infant and Early
19Childhood Mental Health or his designee.
20 (3) The assistant secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, office of
21behavioral health, or his designee.
22 (4) The assistant program manager for Early Steps, Louisiana Department of Health,
23office of citizens with developmental disabilities, or his designee.
24 (5) The assistant secretary of Family Support, Department of Children and Family
25Services, or his designee.
26 (6) The deputy commissioner of the division of administration or his designee.
27 (7) The executive director of TrainingGrounds, Inc. or his designee.
28 (8) The executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families
29or his designee.
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1 (9) The executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children or his
2designee.
3 (10) A representative from the Moms of Black Boys United for Social Change.
4 (11) A representative from the Early Childhood Systems, office of the governor, or
5his designee.
6 (12) The president of the Louisiana Senate or his designee.
7 (13) The speaker of the Louisiana House of Representative or his designee.
8 (14) An appointee from the Children's Cabinet Advisory Board.
9 (15) A representative of the state Department of Education with expertise on early
10childhood education appointed by the state superintendent of education.
11 (16) A representative of the state Department of Education with expertise on Head
12Start or Early Head Start programs appointed by the state superintendent of education.
13 (17) A representative of the division of child welfare, Department of Children and
14Family Services, appointed by the secretary of the Department of Children and Family
15Services.
16 (18) A representative of the office of family support, Department of Children and
17Family Services, appointed by the secretary of the Department of Children and Family
18Services.
19 (19) A representative of the office of public health, Louisiana Department of Health,
20with expertise in nurse-family partnerships, appointed by the secretary of the Louisiana
21Department of Health.
22 (20) A representative with expertise in community wellness programs appointed by
23the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
24 (21) A representative of the bureau of health services financing, Louisiana
25Department of Health, with expertise in medicaid appointed by the secretary of the Louisiana
26Department of Health.
27 (22) A representative of the office of behavioral health, Louisiana Department of
28Health, with expertise in local governing entities and human services districts or authorities
29appointed by the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
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1 (23) A representative of the Louisiana Housing Corporation appointed by the
2executive director of the Louisiana Housing Corporation.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Health shall
4provide staff to support the task force required by this Resolution and designate a chair at
5its first meeting.
6 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall report its progress to the
7Louisiana Legislature.
8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that on or before February 1, 2024, the task force
9shall submit to the House and Senate committees on health and welfare and the David R.
10Poynter Legislative Research Library a written report of its findings and recommendations.
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
12secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, the professor of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and
13Public Health, Head of the Division of Pediatric Mental Health, from the Louisiana State
14University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, the executive director of the Tulane
15Medical School Institute for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, the assistant
16secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, office of behavioral health, the assistant
17program manager for Early Steps, Louisiana Department of Health, office of citizens with
18developmental disabilities, the assistant secretary of Family Support, Department of
19Children and Family Services, the deputy commissioner of the division of administration,
20the executive director of TrainingGrounds, Inc., the executive director of the Louisiana
21Partnership for Children and Families, the executive director of the Louisiana Policy
22Institute for Children, Moms of Black Boys United for Social Change, Early Childhood
23Systems, office of the governor, the state superintendent of education, the secretary of the
24Department of Children and Family Services, the executive director of the Louisiana
25Housing Corporation, and the Children's Cabinet Advisory Board.
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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 115 Reengrossed 2023 Regular Session McFarland
Creates a task force to support the cross-agency work associated with the creation of the
Early Childhood Supports and Services program in La. and to hold the La. Dept. of Health
accountable for the responsible and timely development and delivery of the program.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and
Governmental Affairs to the engrossed resolution:
1. Add nine members to the task force.
2. Make technical changes.
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