The recipient entity's physical address:
           BRECEC, Inc
Suite 1C
4826 Jamestown Ave
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           BRECEC, Inc.
P.O. Box 80174
Baton Rouge, LA. 70898

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          BRECEC, Inc. Incorporators
Rev. Clee Lowe, President
Dan Chavis, Secretary/Treasurer
Dr. Patricia Edwards, Director
Theta Williams, Director

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  2560

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $575,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Names and address of Governing Board and Officers

Board of Directors

Rev Clee Lowe
President
1414 Sora Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70807

Dan Chavis
Secretary/Treasurer
4826 Jamestown Ave, Suite 1C
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Dr. Patricia Edwards
Director
2301 Montego Drive
Lansing, MI 48912

Theta Williams
Director
9237 Staring Court
Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Dr. Kasandra Cyrus
Director
4826 Jamestown Ave, Suite 1C
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Rev. Ronald Sutton
Director
4826 Jamestown Ave, Suite 1C
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Dr. Erma Borskey
Director
4826 Jamestown Ave, Suite 1C
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Patricia Haynes Smith
Executive Director
4826 Jamestown Ave, Suite 1C
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Volunteer Board Advisors

Millard “Sonny” Cranch
153 Courtside Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Dr. Joyce Edwards
8328 Ormand Drive
Zachary, LA 79791

Dianne Helire
4205 Azie Avenue
Baker, LA 70714

Dr. Mary Louise Jones
5813 Georgetown Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Dr. Al Barron
4826 Jamestown Ave, Suite 1C
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Cherryl Matthews
5635 Valley Forge
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Dr. Rose Thompson
1414 Sora Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70807

Dr. Marie Weiss
1522 N Prospect, Unit 506
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Summary of the Project or Program

Baton Rouge Early Childhood Education Collaborative, Inc. (BRECEC) was organized in 2018 by concerned community educators, a faith leader and a business owner, who came together to address the educational needs of children in low-income households, who are not in daycare or Head Start. These children are receiving in-home care from family members and other caregivers with limited education (if any) to prepare the children for kindergarten. This group recognized that the entire community was willing to assist but did not have a vehicle to organize and direct their contributions. Low-income families have resource and commitment barriers that hinder kindergarten preparation efforts. BRECEC was formally chartered on April 9, 2019, to address this critical need. BRECEC became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization on July 17, 2020.
This Project, called the Early Childhood Caregiver Education Project, addresses the absence of early childhood education and employment opportunities in low-income rural and urban communities in the Baton Rouge region. Over 60 percent of Louisiana preschoolers are unprepared for kindergarten. Many low-income communities do not have affordable childcare outside the home or employment options for the parent or caregiver (areas called “childcare deserts.”). The project serves preschool children who are not in daycare or Head Start. Early childhood education curriculum guides and activities will be utilized to help parents prepare their preschoolers for kindergarten.

In addition to providing low-income parents with tools to prepare children for kindergarten, the project also prepares parents for employment options in childcare. This project utilizes the evidence based ParentChild+ Program, with over 50 years of success helping children in low-income households. The project services will be offered in community locations including libraries, churches, community centers and individual homes.
This project will help address the shortage of childcare workers. Parents and caregivers who complete the project will be prepared for employment in the childcare industry, as a childcare worker or self-employed provider. The ParentChild+ Program includes a 23 week model for one-on-one meetings with parents or a 24 week model for home-based providers, who will be assigned to an Early Learning Specialist (ELS). The ELS will provide school readiness strategies and activities for preschoolers of various ages. Some parents and caregivers will have the opportunity to be employed as a childcare worker or home-based provider.
The project will provide services to families with children 16 to 28 months old, who are not in daycare through three delivery models: one-on-one model, home-based caregivers, and church-based programs.

The total projected number of families and preschoolers to be served by each method.

Delivery Method Number Families Children Served
1. One-on-one* 30 30 30
2. Church-based** 15 75 75
3. Home-based*** 20 40 40
Total 145 145
* one child per family for a total of 30
** five families per church for a total of 75
*** two children per home-based provider for a total of 40

Cost per Child Served: $ 575,000/145 = $ 3,966 each


The project is proposed to provide multiple benefits to the State of Louisiana.
1. The project will provide early childhood education to 145 children, who are not in daycare or Head Start.
2. The project will educate 145 parents on their role as a child’s first teacher.
3. The project will introduce employment options to parents and caregivers as a childcare worker or home-based childcare provider.
4. The project will facilitate participation of 15 Churches in early childhood education, bringing long-term sustainable benefit to the community.

Service Area: Baton Rouge Region(Ten Parishes)

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $362,000
          Professional Services. . . $13,250
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $74,000
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $125,750
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          Yes

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          In Louisiana, 60 % of preschoolers are unprepared for kindergarten. Research shows that kindergarten readiness is an indicator of long-term educational success. Children who enter kindergarten academically behind are more likely to stay behind for the rest of their education. The project will provide the educational foundation that preschoolers need to be successful in kindergarten and school. The faith-based component will help with the delivery of services in the community, and the workforce development options will provide job opportunities for the parents and caregivers who complete the project.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Response: The goals we seek to implement as a result of the project are listed below:
Goal:
To help low-income preschoolers acquire the school readiness skills for kindergarten success.
Objectives: To work with 145 families with children ages two to four years old challenged by poverty.
To address the childcare needs of low-income families in “childcare deserts”.
To implement the PC+ Family Child Care (home-based childcare provider) by providing education and support.
Goal:
To improve the availability of Early Childhood Education in under-served communities.
Objectives:
To implement the two models of the PC+ Program to accomplish the overall objectives of preschoolers’ education. The Core (one-on-one) and Family Child Care (FCC) models will be implemented for families with preschoolers who are receiving childcare in the home.

ParentChild+ One-on-One Model
The thirty caregivers participating in the Program’s one-on-one model will be assigned an ELS, who will conduct initial assessments and develop an individualized learning plan. The ELS will model reading, play and conversation activities for parents and children together using books and educational toys.

ParentChild+ FCC Home-based Provider Model
In the FCC Model, the ELS will work with twenty home-based childcare providers. The in-home approach makes it convenient for caregiver/providers to access professional learning support that is individualized. The ELS builds a relationship with the provider with the aim of learning how to support them effectively. Over the course of the 24-week program, each caregiver will receive 48 home visits and acquire a library of high quality books and educational materials.

Goal: To address the critical shortage of childcare workers, especially in rural areas.
Objective. To implement the Workforce-Economic Development Model
This model will be implemented to provide a childcare worker pipeline, similar to the one funded in the state of Washington, with the implementation of the PC+ Program in areas call “childcare deserts”. The parents/caregivers who participate in the one-on-one or FCC models will be candidates for employment as a childcare worker and/or childcare provider.
Workforce development opportunities in early childcare and education will be provided to 50 caregivers. Twenty projected caregivers interested in becoming a licensed childcare provider will be assigned a transition consultant to guide them. The caregiver will receive a $25 stipend for each session. The support will include guidance regarding Louisiana licensing requirements. The caregiver will receive up to $250 stipend per month ($1,200 Total).

Goal: To increase community support of early childhood education provided by churches.
Objective. To implement the Faith in Early Childhood Education Model.
The purpose of this model is to develop early childhood education programs within fifteen churches that will help establish activities for families with preschool children not in daycare or Head Start. Participating churches will receive support utilizing the PC+ one-on-one model and LPB’s Bright-by-Text. The participating church will provide meeting space, supplies and storage space. The Project will provide staffing, and educational materials for the ParentChild+ Program and a $400 per month rental fee/donation to offset expenses.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           Proposed Project length: One Year

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 None
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 None

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 N/A

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  N/A

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               N/A

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               N/A

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                N/A

          What is the nature of the relationship?  N/A

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 N/A

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               N/A


Contact Information
name:  Dan Chavis 
                                       address:  P. O. Box 80174
Baton Rouge, LA 70898
                                       phone:  (225) 315-4329
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  dan.chavis@yahoo.com
                                       relationship to entity:  Chief Operating Officer