Enrollment for free tuition seats for birth to five open now in Jefferson Parish

Written By Alicia Vial

Informational fairs to also be held on the Eastbank and Westbank to assist parents

METAIRIE, LA– Jefferson Ready Start Network announced the application window for tuition-free early care and education seats. Registration is limited, and the application window is open from March 12 – April 26 for prospective families.

 Seats are available for children age birth to 5 years old in economically disadvantaged families, children with identified disabilities and children in foster care. These publicly funded programs are dedicated to helping low-income families access high-quality early care and education. The free seats are across sites in Jefferson, including high-quality child care centers, Early Head Start, Head Start, school system and some parochial school programs.  

With more than 90% of brain development occurring before the age of 5, high-quality early care and education programs are vital to positive outcomes for children. More than 47% of families in Jefferson Parish cannot afford the basics, and the rising cost of child care puts early care and education out of reach for most families. These tuition-free seats are a vital resource for the parish and while they are available, they are limited. Parents are encouraged to apply during this first round of applications for a higher likelihood of receiving placement if qualified.

Families will complete an online application here and provide information about the child and household including the following documentation:

●      Parent identification

●      Child’s birth certificate

●      Proof of residency

●      Proof of income

●      Current/updated immunization records

Application support is available by appointment. Parents can call 504-349-7696 to book an appointment or they can go here to set an appointment time.

JRSN will also host two informational fairs – Early Childhood Extravaganzas – to allow families to learn about publicly funded seats and the registration process. Families will be able to meet directors from centers and gather information about their early care and education programs. There will also be access to resources, including developmental screenings and job opportunities for parents. The two events are taking place:

●      Saturday, March 23 at Lakeside Shopping Center (3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

●      Saturday, April 13 at Jefferson Parish Schools Administration Building (501 Manhattan Blvd, Harvey, LA) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information families should visit jeffersonchild.com.

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About Jefferson Ready Start Network: 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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