Family Support for Early Learning and Development Program Grant
Family Support for Early Learning and Development Program Grant funds services for expecting families and those with children under four to help parents support early development and school readiness.
Funder: Rapides Foundation
Due Dates: October 8, 2026 (Webinar) | October 30, 2026, 4:00 p.m. CT (Letter of Intent) | December 11, 2026 (LOI notification) | January 18, 2027, 4:00 p.m. CT (Invited full proposal) | March 1 or March 5, 2027 (Award notification; confirm with staff) | April 1, 2027 (Grant start)
Funding Amounts: Up to $100,000 annually for one to three years; maximum request of $300,000
Summary: Supports coordinated, evidence-based family services that equip parents and caregivers to strengthen early childhood development and school readiness.
Key Information: Biomedical, clinical, and educational research are not eligible for funding.
Description
The Rapides Foundation’s Family Support for Early Learning and Development Program extends its early childhood work beyond childcare centers and Pre-K classrooms into communities and family homes. It supports coordinated, evidence-based services for expecting families and families with children from birth through age three in the Foundation’s nine-parish Central Louisiana service area. The goal is to improve school readiness by giving parents and caregivers knowledge, skills, resources, and connections that support their children’s development and learning.
Supported efforts address at least two family-support areas, including responsive parenting, healthy childhood development, resource navigation, economic stability planning, and maternal mental health education and referrals. The program emphasizes sustained engagement: successful proposals provide at least three connections with families annually, rather than one-time events.
