FAQ The Online Application Process A. Rich Network's goal is to make high quality early care and education available to all children in Richland Parish and that all children will enter kindergarten healthy and ready for success. RICH Network also works to help families make the best choices for their child's early care and education and to be involved in supporting their child's early development. Program Partners in the RICH Network include:
The coordinating partner for the RICH Network is the Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana. Child Care Connections, the Child Care Resource and Referral Agency for Northeast Louisiana, is a program of the Children's Coalition. Q. How do I apply for an early childhood program? A. Applications are available on this website... just click on the link! Q. What do I need to bring with me to apply for an early childhood program? A. 1. Proof of Income - Note: Use hourly rate and income formula whenever possible for the most accurate and consistent verification. Select which item(s) you have verified:
2. Birth Certificate - Select which item(s) you have verified:
3. Proof of Residence - Select which item you have verified:
4. Shot Record Q. When do I apply for an early childhood program? Programs that accept applications anytime:
There is a Coordinated Application period of April 4-8, 2016 for the following programs:
A Coordinated Application Period means this is NOT "first come, first served," but all completed applications of eligible children taken during April 4-8, 2016 will be considered. Q. How long will it take before I know if my child has been accepted? A. The public school Pre-K Programs and Head Start selected a specific date, June 6th as the Coordinated Notification date. Child care centers, Early Head Start, and EarlySteps will notify you as soon as possible after processing your application. Q. What happens if I miss the Coordinated Application period? A. If you miss the Coordinated Application period, you will be placed on a waiting list and notified if a spot becomes available. Q. If I qualify, is my child guaranteed a spot? YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONFIRM WITH THE PROGRAM AFTER RECEIVING THE NOTIFICATION BY JUNE 16TH OR FORFEIT YOUR SPOT. Q. What happens if I don't qualify? A. If you don't qualify for a publicly-funded program, paying tuition at a quality rated child care center is an option. The right care and education for your child in these critical years is worth considering. Remember, your choices shape their chances and quality should always be your choice. Q. How do I figure out my monthly income? A. Monthly Income Calculation Table: How to Translate Income into a Monthly Figure
INCOME LIMITS SHOWN ARE EFFECTIVE FOR 2016-2017 ENROLLMENT ONLY LA 4, NSECD, PreK Expansion Grant: 185% FPL Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Head Start: 100% FPL Head Start: 130% FPL Q. What is a Child Care Resource and Referral Agency? A. Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies assist families with finding and evaluating child care, train child care providers and help develop new child care facilities. The Child Care Resource and Referral Agency for Northeast Louisiana is Child Care Connections, a program of the Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana. Child Care Connections
Q. What is Quality Start? A. As parents, you want the very best for your children. That's what Quality Start is all about. When you choose a Quality Start member child care center, you know you are choosing a center that is among the finest in the state. Quality Start is a voluntary program for licensed child care centers, designed to recognize, support, and increase the quality of child care throughout Louisiana. Participating centers can earn up to five stars. Quality Start also offers training and incentives to child care providers to help increase their rating. Important new quarterly bonuses and tax credits are also available to parents who choose a Quality Start center. Q. Why should I choose a Quality Start Child Care Center? A. Research shows quality child care can improve your child's well-being including their readiness for school.
Q. Where can I get more information about Quality Start?
Q. Who do I call if I think my child has missed a Developmental Milestone? |
Why are quality early childhood experiences so important? Nourishing a child’s mind in the first five years of life is as essential as feeding the body. New scientific research confirms that what happens to children’s brains in their earliest years shapes the adults they become, the success they achieve, and the contributions they make to our economy and society.
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Contact Us: For questions concerning specific programs or your application, please click on the Early Childhood Sites tab for a list of contacts. For specific questions about the RICH Network please click on the Contact Us tab.
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Our Mission Statement
The goal of the RICH Network is to make high-quality, early care and education available to all eligible children in Richland Parish, so they enter kindergarten healthy and ready for success. Part of that goal is to also help families make the best choices for their early learner's education, and to be involved in supporting their child's early development. |