Jefferson Ready Start Network

10/13/2026

Big Feelings are Normal. Tantrums aren't always bad behavior. Young children are still learning how to manage big emotions. Stay calm. Name the feeling. Help them work through it.

10/08/2026

We enjoyed sharing the work of Jefferson Ready Start Network at yesterday's Jefferson Community Foundation breakfast!

It was a great opportunity to talk about why investing in early childhood education matters for our children, working families and the future of Jefferson Parish.

Thank you to Jefferson Community Foundation for inviting us and for your continued partnership in helping more children access quality early learning!

09/30/2026

We are grateful to United Way of Southeast Louisiana for its investment in Jefferson Ready Start Network through its Youth Opportunity pathway! This support is part of United Way's Bold Goal to place 100,000 individuals living below the ALICE Threshold on a pathway to prosperity by 2035. We know that pathway starts early. By investing in access to quality early care and education, we can give more Jefferson Parish children a strong start while supporting the families who are working to build a brighter future.

Thank you, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, for investing in our youngest learners and recognizing the important role early childhood education plays in creating opportunity for generations to come.

09/29/2026

JRSN Parent Minute: Choices Build Confidence.

Offer simple choices. "Blue shirt or red shirt?" "Apple slices or bananas?"

Giving children age-appropriate choices builds their decision-making skills.

09/25/2026

Please join us in welcoming Ms. Stephanie Rizzuto as the newest member of the Jefferson Ready Start Network Advisory Board! Stephanie joins the board representing an important voice in our work: parents. Their firsthand experiences and perspectives help ensure the needs of Jefferson Parish children and families remain at the center of conversations about early care and education.

And we're looking for more parent voices to join us! JRSN is seeking parents of young children enrolled in Type 3 early childhood education programs in Jefferson Parish to serve on our Advisory Board. Interested in getting involved or know a parent who would be a great fit? Send us a message for more information or to nominate someone.

09/23/2026

We're proud to celebrate Jefferson Ready Start Network Advisory Board member and early childhood provider Monique Rouege on being named co-chair of Louisiana's newly consolidated Early Childhood Care and Education Commission!

The ECCE Commission will help shape the future of early childhood care and education in Louisiana, bringing together voices from across the state to address critical issues including access, affordabiity, quality, workforce needs and funding.

As both a provider and advocate, Monique understands firsthand the challenges facing early childhood educators and the families they serve. We are proud to have her voice representing providers and helping guide conversations and decisions that can strengthen early care and education across Louisiana.

09/22/2026

JRSN Parent Minute: Talk more than you think. Your child learns language by hearing yours. Describe what you're cooking, folding or cleaning. Every conversation helps grow their vocabulary.

09/21/2026

The need for quality early care and education in Jefferson Parish continues to outpace available funding.

This NOLA.com article takes a closer look at the challenge facing local families and the work underway to expand access. At Jefferson Ready Start Network, we know that sustainable investment in early childhood means more children can access quality care, more parents can stay in the workforce and our entire community benefits.

Read more: https://bit.ly/47bD5tu

A Louisiana matching-grant program helping Jefferson Parish expand access to high quality early childcare is in crisis as local funding for the effort has declined in recent years and the state's matching dollars are running low.

09/17/2026

Jefferson Parish's early care and education work is reaching a national audience!

JRSN team member Jessica Rouquette and Advisory Board member Monique Rouege recently shared Jefferson Parish's work at a national conference focused on the Early Educator Investment Collaborative. Their conversation highlighted the work happening locally and JRSN's long-term goal: building a sustainable local funding strategy that expands access to high-quality early care and education for Jefferson Parish children and families.

We're proud to see Jefferson Parish represented in important conversations about the future of early childhood education.

09/15/2026

JRSN Parent Minute - The Car Ride Classroom.

Driving to your center in the morning? Skip the silence. Talk about:

🚗 Colors
🔢 Numbers Those everyday conversations build vocabulary.
🐕 Animals
🌳 Things you see outside