The Rapides Parish Early Childhood team visited the Louisiana State Capitol this week to celebrate securing $4.8 million in funding for the 2024–2025 school year, including $2.4 million in new state and local dollars.

The funding will provide over 300 early childhood education scholarships for working parents and student-parents in Rapides Parish. Funding for the 2025–2026 school year is already in place to continue the program.

State Representative Mike Johnson praised the team—Cindy Rushing, Patti Jo Pearson, Emily Welch, Cindy Cespiva, and Shannon Johns—for their work in supporting families and expanding access to early education.