Louisiana House Bill HCR16

Louisiana 2018 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/20/18
• Engrossed: 3/21/18
• Passed: 3/26/18

Caption

Recognizes March 26, 2018, as United Way Women United Day at the state capitol and commends Women United for its dedication to the advancement of early childhood care and education

Impact

The resolution underscores the challenges faced by early childhood education programs in Louisiana, particularly the steep decline in funding for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). The resolution notes that the CCAP has decreased in its capacity to support children from approximately 40,000 in 2009 to just 17,000 today, indicating a growing gap in access to essential early childhood support. Such funding challenges have broader implications for workforce productivity, as many parents report job cessation and setbacks due to inadequate child care options.

Summary

HCR16 is a concurrent resolution that recognizes March 26, 2018, as United Way Women United Day at the Louisiana State Capitol. This resolution commends Women United for its significant contributions to early childhood care and education in Louisiana. The resolution highlights critical statistics demonstrating the impact of early childhood care access on workforce participation and the importance of early childhood education in brain development. By acknowledging the efforts of Women United, the resolution aims to bring attention to the pressing need for increased support in early educational programming.

Sentiment

General sentiment around HCR16 appears to be positive, as it advocates for greater awareness and investment in early childhood education. Supporters of Women United and this resolution likely view it as a necessary recognition of the organization's efforts to unify and address the critical needs of children and families in Louisiana. However, the context of educational funding may ignite discussions regarding the adequacy of state resources dedicated to early childhood education and the need for comprehensive policy reform.

Contention

While HCR16 is a commendation, it implicitly raises questions about the ongoing challenges facing early childhood educational funding in Louisiana. Critics of decreased funding may view the state’s current approach as insufficient, advocating for more substantial legislative action to restore funding levels to benefit families and support early learning. This resolution serves as a reminder of the ongoing advocacy work required to improve access to quality early childhood education programs and the potential consequences of continued funding cuts.