Committee briefed on early‑childhood funding, enrollment declines tied to federal drawdown

Senate Fiscal Division and Department of Education officials told the Senate Finance Committee that the state’s early‑childhood funding and Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) enrollments have fallen from pandemic peaks as federal supports dissipated.

May Sue summarized the "early childhood system integrated budget" included in the executive package and said the total early‑childhood integration budget across multiple agencies is roughly $2.3 billion, with $742.8 million in general fund. She said FY26 reflects an $11.2 million general‑fund increase in the integrated budget driven in part by MOF swaps that offset a funding loss from DCFS for a LA‑4 pre‑K program.

The committee heard that the number of children served in the state early‑childhood programs fell to about 57,745 as of October 2024, down from more than 70,000 during the pandemic when federal funds were available. The Department reported parish‑level pre‑K data submitted under a newly required report; the department said the statewide count includes both public and nonpublic placements and showed about 12,000 three‑year‑olds served and 32,715 four‑year‑olds served with substantial unserved counts remaining.

Senators asked about CCAP trends and the department explained the program’s state general fund appropriation has not backfilled all federal reductions. Officials emphasized that many early‑childhood investments had been one‑time federal or COVID‑era funds and that FY26 attempted to concentrate limited recurring resources in early‑childhood priorities such as LA‑4, early steps and maternal‑infant home visiting.

Committee members asked for parish‑level enrollment counts and for updated reporting that the department said it will provide as part of follow‑up materials. No formal votes were held.