A Bold Stand for Child Care in D.C.
Last week, Wilcox Academy of Early Learning Executive Director Rochelle Wilcox joined the Child Care for Every Family Network for two days of intensive advocacy, federal briefings, and Capitol Hill meetings following the passage of the “Big, Beautiful Bill.”
The convening began with a full day of advocacy training focused on understanding policy impacts, identifying opportunities, and preparing participants to elevate the voices of children, families, and early childhood providers directly to Congress. The following day, the delegation visited Capitol Hill to ensure Louisiana’s communities were represented in national conversations around child care policy and funding.
Meetings were held with representatives from:
Congressman Troy Carter’s office
Congressman Cleo Fields’ office
Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s office
Senator Bill Cassidy’s office
Across each conversation, the message remained clear: child care is essential infrastructure, yet it is not funded as such. This gap continues to place significant strain on families, providers, and the broader economy.
Key data shared during these discussions included:
In Louisiana, businesses lose over $250 million annually due to child care-related workforce disruptions
Nearly 1 in 4 child care providers lives in poverty, often relying on public assistance programs
The average early childhood educator in Louisiana earns approximately $10.38 per hour
Nationwide, the system is short 3.6 million child care slots
More than 5,000 children in Louisiana remain on the CCAP waitlist
Wilcox Academy extends gratitude to congressional staff members for their time, engagement, and willingness to listen to the lived experiences of providers and families. The organization encourages continued bold and urgent action to strengthen early childhood education systems at every level.
Child care is not a partisan issue—it is an economic issue, a workforce issue, and a future-focused investment. The time to act is now.
