Agenda for Children

On this , we are excited to welcome Tender Touch Angels Daycare, a new Type III Early Learning Center in Paulina, St. James Parish! They held their grand opening celebration on May 28, 2026.

Under the leadership of Vanessa Crushfield, formerly a Family Child Care Provider, this new center is officially open and ready to serve children and families in the community.

Congratulations on this exciting milestone. We look forward to the impact you will make in St. James Parish!

During our May ECE Leaders Exchange, Louisiana Department of Education Field Consultant Carenisha Williams presented about the recent revisions to Bulletin 137 and answered leaders’ questions about updates to the definition of an early learning center and several chapters related to the new Behavior Management Policy.

Leaders also worked through a structured process for preparing for licensing visits, including reviewing policies and procedures, completing staff training requirements, and conducting mock visits to strengthen readiness.

Developing a strong understanding of childcare licensing is a foundational pillar of quality and safety in early childhood education. Thank you to Carenisha Williams for sharing your expertise with our learning cohort!

Hey Early Educators, there's still time to register!

Join us for this one-day, hands-on professional learning experience! This interactive training focuses on how high-quality teacher/child interactions create meaningful, engaging learning environments and gives you practical strategies you can start using in your classroom right away!

Registration has been extended to June 5th so hurry and get your seat today! Go to: https://bit.ly/4dWWyCu

This month, a number of our team members are celebrating work anniversaries, and on this , we’re recognizing those reaching milestones in early June.

Please join us in celebrating Mark Thomas on 4 years, Tonia Loria on 4 years, and Danielle Davis on 5 years with Agenda for Children!

Your passion and dedication in supporting high-quality early care and education inspire us every day and strengthen Louisiana’s early childhood education ecosystem. Thank you for all you do to help us make our state a place where every child can thrive.

Congratulations on these meaningful milestones and here’s to many more!

✨️Registration Deadline Extended!✨️

Type III Center Directors and Leaders - we want to help you get prepared for the next disaster and make sure you have the tools and resources you need to help your center, teachers and families navigate emergencies successfully.

Join us for our FREE Child Care in Emergencies Forum! The forum is being held in partnership with Save the Children USA on June 11, 2026.

To learn more and register, go to: https://bit.ly/4wz1uVq

to May 22, when members of our Professional Development team joined our Early Care & Education Specialist team for their annual Day of Service with Second Harvest Food Bank.

Each year, the team serves in different areas across the facility, whether it is preparing meals for children in the kitchen to packing sweet potatoes for local pantries. This year, alongside fellow community volunteers, the team assembled 560 Senior Boxes for delivery to older adults across Greater New Orleans.

Volunteering with Second Harvest is always a highlight for our coaching team. Second Harvest’s work makes a meaningful difference for families and seniors facing food insecurity throughout our community.

Second Harvest Food Bank - Feeding South Louisiana

On this , we are thrilled to announce Beth Glenn as our new Director of Data and Analytics.

With a Ph.D. in Economics and extensive experience across Southeast Louisiana, having served both the Education Research Alliance of New Orleans and the Oschner-Xavier Institute for Health Equity and Research, Beth brings deep expertise for translating complex data into clear, actionable insights for policymakers and community members alike.

In her new role, Beth will work alongside Chief Data & Impact Officer Teresa Falgoust to lead our data collection and analysis efforts and serve as a key voice in our data-for-action work. Join us in welcoming Beth to the team!

Last month, our Professional Development team hosted another successful Field Trip to the Model Classroom with Toddler’s University 1 and 2.

During the visit, the Toddler’s University staff explored a classroom display centered on an important part of Louisiana culture: Jazz Fest. Through thoughtful discussion and collaborative activities, participants developed creative strategies to spark children’s curiosity, deepen engagement, and strengthen their understanding of the world around them while supporting overall development.

The experience left participants feeling inspired and excited to bring new ideas and insights back to their centers.

Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to participate in a Field Trip to the Model Classroom for your early learning program!

Early Educators: Chew on this! Did you know that there are many factors that contribute to biting incidents in young children? Learn to spot the cues and how to prevent and respond to biting incidents in a safe and supportive way at our Biting 101 workshop on July 8th. Register at: https://bit.ly/4nLy6ao

Our offices are closed today, Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume our normal hours of business tomorrow, Tuesday, May 26th. On this day, we remember and honor all who served.