Jefferson Ready Start Network joins Jefferson Community Foundation to expand early childhood access

Written By Alicia Vial

Move positions JRSN to grow partnerships, funding opportunities and community impact

METAIRIE, La. – Jefferson Ready Start Network, the leading coalition dedicated to expanding access to high-quality early childhood education in Jefferson Parish, is excited to announce its transition to the Jefferson Community Foundation (JCF).

This move marks a new chapter for JRSN, allowing the organization to broaden its partnership base, deepen engagement with local businesses and unlock new avenues of funding to increase the number of seats available for children from birth through age four.

“As we continue to fight for every child in Jefferson Parish to have access to high-quality early learning, this new alignment with the Jefferson Community Foundation gives us the structure, support and reach to do even more,” said Sarintha Stricklin, Ph.D., Executive Director of JRSN. “We are thrilled about this move and the ability it gives us to grow the coalition, build stronger partnerships and ultimately bring more children into the classroom.”

Under JCF, JRSN will be better positioned to engage with a broader network of community stakeholders, including civic groups, membership organizations and business leaders who can now more easily participate in efforts to support early education. This shift will also enable more flexible fundraising strategies to secure the local investments needed to expand access to high-quality birth through four seats – the core of JRSN’s mission.

In addition, this transition strengthens the connection between early childhood education and workforce development by preparing Jefferson Parish’s youngest learners for future academic and career success, ultimately building a stronger talent pipeline for local employers. By supporting working families and ensuring children are ready for school and life, JRSN and JCF together help lay the foundation for sustained economic growth and a more resilient, competitive local economy.

Both JCF and JRSN share a deep commitment to building a stronger, more equitable Jefferson Parish. Together, they will work to ensure that early childhood education remains a top priority and a shared responsibility across the entire community.

For more information on JRSN visit www.jeffersonreadystart.com.

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About Jefferson Ready Start Network: 
Under the authority of Jefferson Parish Schools, The Jefferson Ready Start Network works to create a culture of high-quality, comprehensive early childhood services (birth to 5 years) through engagement and partnerships with families, educators and community members. For more information, visit https://jeffersonreadystartnetwork.com.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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