LOUISIANA’S BUSINESS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MILITARY LEADERS DEMAND ACTION TO CLEAR WAIT LIST FOR CHILD CARE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             
CONTACT: Chris Beakey 302 448 0253
cbeakey@fightcrime.org                                                                     

WHAT:           A panel discussion around the release of Infant-Toddler Child Care Increases Louisiana’s Success, a report demonstrating how solving Louisiana’s child care crisis will improve the workforce and support future public safety and military readiness.
 
WHO:            Michael J. Olivier, CEO of Committee of 100
General Ronald Richard, USMC, (Ret.)
Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul, Jr
Sonjia Joseph, Owner of Clara’s Little Lambs Preschool Academy
 
Stephanie Riegel, Editor of the Baton Rouge Business Journal, who will moderate the panel
 
WHEN:          Tuesday, May 7, 2 – 3 p.m.
 
WHERE:        The Ellender Room, Louisiana State Capitol
 
This report is from Council for a Strong America, a non-partisan, non-profit organization representing five sectors of society working together to prepare children for productive lives. Based on new research, it found the infant and toddler child care crisis is costing the nation $57 billion annually in lost earnings, productivity and revenue – which amounts to $1.1 billion for the state of Louisiana. The report is among the first to spotlight how the crisis impacts employers and taxpayers as well as working parents. 
 
The panelists will discuss the need for prompt action to clear Louisiana’s child care waitlist, which includes more than 5,000 children, and how expanding the availability of affordable high-quality child care will strengthen the workforce and improve future public safety and national security. 
 
Learn more about Council for a Strong America at www.strongnation.org.