Step Forward

04/29/2026

04/22/2026

Please join CFNLA's Step Forward Initiative and our partners, Humana Healthy Horizons and Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, for "Pinwheels of Possibilities" on Tuesday, April 28, at St. Mary Medical Center (911 Margaret Place in Shreveport). Dr. Pamela McPherson, Ochsner LSU Health Psychiatrist, will speak on brain development, and participants can learn about local resources for child abuse awareness and prevention.

Community members are invited to attend one of two FREE sessions during the "Pinwheels of Possibilities" event:

11:30am - 1:00pm - St. Mary Medical Center Community Center - Complimentary lunch provided!

5:30pm - 7:00pm - St. Mary Medical Center Auditorium - Complimentary dinner provided! Evening session attendees will engage in the Brain Architect Game, an interactive exploration of how early experiences shape the developing brain

Please register for a session using the QR code in the image below or using the links below.

Our community is facing an urgent moment, one that calls us to action. Child abuse and neglect impact our most vulnerable, our children. “Pinwheels of Possibilities” is dedicated to the memory of the eight children lost in Shreveport on April 19, 2026. We honor them by coming together to strengthen families to build protective factors and support healing in our community. Join Step Forward and our partners on April 28 as we move from awareness to action.

11:30am - 1:00pm:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4FADAA22A5FD0-48676532-child #/
5:30pm - 7:00pm: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4FADAA22A5FD0-63563660-pinwheels #/

03/25/2026

Members of the NWLA Teen Advisory Committee (TAC) were proud to participate in the Black Family Wellness Expo, held on Saturday, March 21, at J.S. Clark Elementary.

TAC is a diverse, youth-driven group that provides leadership development and engages teens in issues, policies, programs, and activities that affect young people in Northwest Louisiana.

Learn more at cfnla.org/tac.

03/06/2026

02/04/2026

Pre-K starts here, and the future starts now.

Pre-K applications for the 2026–2027 school year are officially underway in Caddo.

High-quality early childhood education builds the foundation for lifelong learning by supporting early literacy, social skills, and confidence from the very start. Applying early helps families explore the best options for their child and secure placement in a program that fits their needs.

Families can learn more about available Pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, and Type 3 child care options and apply online now at caddosmartstart.com.

📚 Strong starts matter.
📝 Apply early.
👶 Give your child the best possible beginning.

02/03/2026

Thank You for Investing in Caddo Parish’s Youngest Learners! 🌟

Thanks to many generous supporters, CFNLA is thrilled to share we committed $1,620,000 for the Early Childhood Education Fund for Caddo Parish. When combined with $240,000 from the City of Shreveport Government, this community investment enables Caddo Parish to secure a $1,860,000 match from the State of Louisiana. The result is a total of $3,720,000 in available ECE scholarships for the year 2026! 🎉

Research shows high-quality early education during the first three years of life is vital for healthy brain development and long-term academic and life success. Four years of data demonstrate investments in Caddo Parish ECE have positively impacted children and families. Fall 2025 assessments of children entering kindergarten in Caddo revealed those who attended Type III childcare centers performed 28% better in reading and 32% better in math than children who remained at home during this crucial developmental stage.

We could not build a brighter future for our community without our donors, partners, and providers. THANK YOU! 💚

Visit cfnla.org/ece to learn more about the ECE scholarship initiative and its success.

01/30/2026

Ellissa Bryant and Maya Trutschl, members of the NWLA Teen Advisory Committee, have been nominated for the Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Young Woman award. Please join us in congratulating these impressive young women!

Take a look at the 2026 Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Young Woman honorees.

01/23/2026

Sign up for FREE to receive real-time emergency alerts at caddoready.org.

With winter weather on the horizon, be sure you're Caddo Ready.

Caddo Ready is our FREE emergency alert system that keeps you informed when it matters most.

Receive notifications from Parish of Caddo, City of Shreveport, Shreveport Fire and Police, Office of Homeland Security, Caddo/Bossier Port and other local agencies to share valuable updates in real time.

Once you sign up, choose whether you want to get alerts by text, phone, or email. You can also customize what types of notifications you receive, including severe weather and other emergencies.

Caddo Ready helps local agencies stay connected with you during fast-changing situations so you’re never left guessing.

Sign up at caddoready.org

01/21/2026

Match ends January 27! Don't miss this opportunity to DOUBLE your impact. Give today at cfnla.org/ece.

There is less than a week remaining until the deadline to raise $2 million to ensure Caddo Parish receives its full share of matching dollars for early childhood education!

The ECE initiative provides scholarships for children from birth to age 3 to attend early learning centers, giving Caddo Parish children access to high-quality early education.

To learn more or to make a donation, please visit cfnla.org/ece. Remember, your donation will be DOUBLED now through January 27!