Foundation grants $10 million to match state, community contributions

Having access to quality childcare has made all the difference for Ananda Flanagan of Alexandria. Thanks to a unique funding partnership led by The Rapides Foundation, Flanagan can focus on her work at United Way of Central Louisiana while her 1-year-old son, Noah, receives excellent care and early learning at Heavenly Care Child Development Center, with tuition fully covered.

“As a single mom, I know all too well the challenges of balancing work, raising my children, and keeping up with the endless stream of bills. It can be overwhelming, especially working in the nonprofit sector, a career of passion and purpose, but not one of financial security,” she said. “When I heard about the Early Childhood Education Program, I applied without hesitation. The tuition waiver has been an absolute game changer for my family. Not only does it ease the burden of deciding which bills to pay or whether I need to take on another job, but it also gives me something truly priceless, more time with my kids.”

Flanagan is among hundreds of Central Louisiana parents benefiting from the Foundation’s Cenla Early Childhood Education Access Program Grant, which is helping families afford high-quality care while preparing young children for long-term success.

A Two-Phase Commitment to Early Learning

In late 2023, The Rapides Foundation’s Board of Trustees made an initial investment of $2.1 million to help early childhood education networks in Rapides, Grant and Natchitoches parishes draw down matching dollars from the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund. That first round of funding allowed the networks to provide up to 380 early childhood seats for the 2024-25 school year.

To expand the reach, the Foundation also pledged to match local contributions raised by communities. By the January 31, 2024, deadline, local partners raised $510,700, unlocking additional Foundation and state funding and resulting in a $6.3 million total investment in early childhood education.

Building on this momentum, in late 2024, The Rapides Foundation Board approved a second, long-term commitment: $8 million over the next three years to continue and grow the initiative across the region.

In 2024, Cenla Early Childhood Education Access Grants were awarded to the early childhood education lead agencies of four networks: Rapides Parish School Board, Grant Parish School Board, Natchitoches Parish School Board and the Volunteers of America South Central Louisiana (Avoyelles Parish). These four entities are receiving funding based on the number of spots available at childcare centers in the 2025-26 school year.

“The long-term impact of early childhood education reaches far beyond the classroom. It affects our future workforce, increases graduation rates and family incomes, and improves the overall health of a community,” said Joe Rosier, President and CEO of The Rapides Foundation.

Summer Montgomery, Director of Heavenly Care Child Development Center III, where Flanagan sends Noah, said about 90 percent of families at the center are recipients of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Tuition Waiver. When the ECE program was introduced in early 2024, Montgomery encouraged all parents to apply.

“We told them this is a program that can cover 100% of your tuition, so sign up for it. The worst they can tell you is that you don’t qualify,” she said. “Most of them were kind of shocked that they got approved because they had this mindset that it was for low, low income, but it’s not. So once they got approved, they were excited because daycare is expensive.”

The center has a few two-income families benefiting from the free-tuition program, “but for the most part it is single moms,” Montgomery said. “Moms who are working full-time or who are in school and working but still need financial help.”

Supporting Parents and Preparing Children

The Cenla Early Childhood Education Access Program Grant is part of the Foundation’s School Readiness Initiative, which aims to increase kindergarten readiness by expanding or supporting programs that promote high-quality teacher-child and family-child interactions.

“Children who attend high-quality early childhood programs before kindergarten are more likely to complete high school and go through their school careers without repeating a grade, which sets them up for success beyond graduation. This project also allows parents and guardians to attend school or go to work while their children receive quality education in the daycare setting,” Rosier said.

Shana Delrie, Elementary Supervisor for Grant Parish Schools, said districts benefit when children enter K-12 schools ready to learn.

“Research shows that brain development and social-emotional growth are critical during the first three years of life. Although parents are the child's first teacher, early education centers are an option for families who need support while working or going to school,” she said.

“When children begin kindergarten ready to learn, they are more likely to do well in school, get along with their peers, and stay on track with their education. The early childhood settings use developmentally appropriate strategies and practices that enrich the learning experiences for young children and prepare them for success in kindergarten.”

Community Champions

The Foundation structured its grant to encourage communities to raise additional dollars to be matched by both the Foundation and state of Louisiana, amplifying the overall impact. The Rotary Club of Alexandria, with businessman and Rotarian Patrick Moore leading the efforts, became an early champion, spearheading an early childhood education project to raise awareness and support for early childhood education opportunities. Efforts of the Rapides Early Childhood Network (RECN), community leaders and the Rotary Club of Alexandria raised close to $500,000 in just one month through individual and corporate donations. Organizations and individual donors are continuing the momentum, which is the overall intent of the three-year grant as the Foundation’s share will decrease each year.

“The Rotary Club is a great example of communities taking charge,” Rosier said. “We’re seeing other communities step up and recognize the importance of making sure all children are prepared for kindergarten.”

Cindy Rushing, Early Childhood Director of the Rapides Parish School District, said the Foundation has helped pave the way for early childhood education and care in the parish. She emphasized that three key components are essential to our children’s future: high-quality education, access and community support.

“Through the Cenla Early Childhood Education Access Program Grant initiative, the Rapides Early Childhood Network (RECN) has achieved unprecedented milestones, driving significant improvements in early childhood education and setting new records for the network’s success.”

“It’s truly a blessing” — A Parent’s Perspective from Grant Parish

Christie Powell, a single mother of four from Dry Prong, knows how expensive childcare can be. Her youngest, Macie, attends Dogwood Academy in Grant Parish tuition free, thanks to the ECE program.

“I haven’t had to pay anything since sometime last year,” Powell said. “Daycare is expensive — probably around $500 a month – so this has made a huge difference financially. It’s been a blessing.”

Powell first heard about the program from Misty Poole, Dogwood Academy’s owner, who encouraged her to apply. “It was easy to sign up, and I was surprised it worked,” she said. “I’ve never had luck getting childcare assistance before.”

Macie is the first of Powell’s children to attend daycare, and the difference is already clear. “She learned sign language before she could even talk, and I didn’t teach her that,” Powell said. “She’s learning so much, and I feel completely comfortable knowing she’s in a safe and loving environment while I’m at work.”

Helping Providers Help Families

Poole said the program has been transformative, not only for the children at Dogwood Academy, but for the Grant Parish community as well.

“Some of the parents said that without the assistance and the help, that they wouldn't have been able to pay for childcare,” she said. “They would have had to stop working or made other cuts somewhere in their family life. It’s opening the doors for new opportunities and definitely helping the community as we know.”

Shana Delrie, Elementary Supervisor for the Grant Parish School District, said the program is particularly helpful in rural parishes like Grant.

“In rural communities, families often face limited childcare options. The Rapides Foundation has been a valued partner in our early childhood efforts, especially in helping expand access to quality care and education. Since the launch of our Ready Start Network Council a little over a year ago, we have successfully expanded access for parents by welcoming two new centers into our network this summer, increasing the quality and availability of early childhood education and care in our community. We appreciate The Rapides Foundation and their continued commitment to early childhood education,” Delrie said.

For parents like Flanagan, the benefits are both immediate and lasting.

“Thanks to this program, my child is thriving in a high-quality childcare environment, Heavenly Care Child Development Center Number Three, and I can focus on my work knowing he's in good hands. It’s taken a huge weight off my shoulders.” she said. “It’s made all the difference in our lives.”