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Jefferson Ready Start Network

Berry Cherry Tree | Branding Session
The mission of Jefferson Ready Start Network is to foster quality early childhood experiences to prepare Jefferson Parish children for success.

Louisiana’s future is tied to the success of its children—that’s why Jefferson Ready Start Network is taking the opportunity to transform that future in one generation.

“Everyone has a shared responsibility to support the economy of today and shape the workforce of tomorrow,” says Sarintha Stricklin, Ph.D., Executive Director of Jefferson Ready Start Network. “By working together, we can ensure our communities thrive.”

Jefferson Ready Start Network is a coalition of individuals committed to creating and implementing a bold local vision for early childhood. In Louisiana, only half of children enter kindergarten ready to learn. In Jefferson, working families struggle to find childcare options that are affordable, and there are long waiting lists for subsidized infant and toddler care.

Jefferson Ready Start Network brings together partners to improve the quality of and access to early childhood opportunities in Jefferson Parish. Directed by a coalition of community leaders and supported by early childhood stakeholders, Jefferson Ready Start Network partners with organizations such as United Way SELA, Jefferson Parish Government, Jefferson Chamber, Jefferson School System, GNO Inc., and many more. Together, this coalition works to increase publicly funded seats so every child from birth through age five has access to quality early experiences that prepare them for success.

In May, the Jefferson Ready Start Network was awarded an additional 508 slots for low-income infants and toddlers to receive early care and education in high quality partnering sites. In June, the Jefferson Parish Council expanded these seats by committing $225,000 in local funds for high quality early education for the upcoming year.  The recently passed SB142 allocating 25 percent of future sports betting revenue to the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Trust will provide a dollar-for-dollar match to the JP Council local contribution.

Through these continued partnerships, including with the Jefferson Community Foundation, prioritization of early education supports the long-term economic success of Jefferson Parish.

 

Jrs Logo Horizontal W Children Caitlin Sistrunk 1

Sarintha Buras Stricklin, PhD,
Director, Jefferson Ready Start Network
sarintha.stricklin@jpschools.org
jeffersonreadystartnetwork.com

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