New Partnership Expands Access to Early Childhood Education in East Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, La. — A groundbreaking public-private partnership is set to boost early childhood education in East Baton Rouge Parish, aiming to better prepare children for kindergarten regardless of their family’s income level.

With approximately 30,000 children under the age of five in the parish, only about 30% currently enter kindergarten ready to learn. Dr. Lee Griffin, executive director of LaForce, a non-profit leading the initiative, believes the solution lies in greater access to early childhood education.

“Children who receive high-quality early education are less likely to need special education services, repeat grades, or engage with the criminal justice system. They’re also more likely to graduate from high school,” said Griffin.

To tackle this issue, Griffin's organization has partnered with the East Baton Rouge City Parish to launch the Head Start Restart Initiative. This initiative will see LaForce manage three Head Start centers in the parish, expanding services to include before and after-school care. Additionally, the program will accommodate 280 more children.

“We’re ensuring that every family, regardless of income or circumstances, can access quality early education,” stated Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome.

Expanding Support for Working Families

Currently, fewer than 20% of families in East Baton Rouge qualify for Head Start services. Vernadine Marby, Director of Human Development and Services for Baton Rouge, emphasized that this partnership will enable them to reach more working families who struggle to afford childcare but don't meet the eligibility for assistance.

“There’s another 55% of families that get up and go to work every day but don’t qualify for these services,” Marby explained. “This initiative will allow us to support them, expanding our reach beyond Head Start to include working families who cannot afford childcare.”

Investing in Educators and Students

The Head Start Restart Initiative is also focused on improving conditions for educators. Teachers and case managers will receive a $5,000 salary increase, bringing starting pay to $48,000. The goal is to attract and retain qualified professionals to ensure that children are fully prepared for primary school.

“We want to place children in high-quality, early childhood programs from infancy so that when they reach Head Start, they’re already on the path to kindergarten readiness,” Griffin added.

Next Steps

The Head Start Restart Initiative is pending federal approval and funding. Once implemented, it will provide a vital lifeline for families in East Baton Rouge, helping more children start school with the skills and support they need to succeed.