Jefferson Ready Start Network Joins Jefferson Community Foundation to Expand Early Childhood Access

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

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.