LDOE reports 16,871 CCAP voucher children, outlines KinderSystems data transition
February 20, 2026 | Department of Education, Boards & Commissions, Organizations, Executive, Louisiana
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The Louisiana Department of Education told the advisory council it continues to operate CCAP voucher and contracted‑seat programs while preparing to transition to a new data and payments platform.
Karen, introduced in the meeting as deputy assistant superintendent for the Office of Early Childhood Care and Education, reported that as of the end of the calendar year the department served 16,871 children in CCAP voucher seats and had 5,371 families awaiting services since January 2024, "that equates to more than 7,500 children looking for early care and education." She said there was a slight decrease in voucher children served driven by underutilization.
Karen said the department processed more than 2,400 renewal applications for B‑to‑3 contracted seats and reported more than 2,800 children enrolled in those contracted seats as of December 2025; nearly 900 siblings were added after the program's transition into the department and alignment with federal guidelines.
The department also previewed a migration to a new data system called KinderSystems with a Family Central portal to replace the existing CAFE application and a payments platform called Kindertrack. Karen said the new portal will be mobile‑friendly, simplify application steps, allow families to upload verifications and communicate with caseworkers, and that remittance advice will eventually be issued from Kindertrack rather than the current LDOE no‑reply email. Department staff said they will work to issue any required back payments for newly certified siblings and advised providers to check spam folders for current remittance letters that include limited child identifiers.
Officials emphasized ongoing supports such as CCR&R coaching (506 sites assisted with over 3,500 hours of coaching in Q4) and Tulane Tikes mental‑health consultation reaching roughly 150 sites and more than 1,400 classrooms. The council asked about improving data collection on family participation in Ready Start Network activities; staff said a uniform reporting mechanism is not yet in place but could be requested for PDG‑funded activities.
Karen, introduced in the meeting as deputy assistant superintendent for the Office of Early Childhood Care and Education, reported that as of the end of the calendar year the department served 16,871 children in CCAP voucher seats and had 5,371 families awaiting services since January 2024, "that equates to more than 7,500 children looking for early care and education." She said there was a slight decrease in voucher children served driven by underutilization.
Karen said the department processed more than 2,400 renewal applications for B‑to‑3 contracted seats and reported more than 2,800 children enrolled in those contracted seats as of December 2025; nearly 900 siblings were added after the program's transition into the department and alignment with federal guidelines.
The department also previewed a migration to a new data system called KinderSystems with a Family Central portal to replace the existing CAFE application and a payments platform called Kindertrack. Karen said the new portal will be mobile‑friendly, simplify application steps, allow families to upload verifications and communicate with caseworkers, and that remittance advice will eventually be issued from Kindertrack rather than the current LDOE no‑reply email. Department staff said they will work to issue any required back payments for newly certified siblings and advised providers to check spam folders for current remittance letters that include limited child identifiers.
Officials emphasized ongoing supports such as CCR&R coaching (506 sites assisted with over 3,500 hours of coaching in Q4) and Tulane Tikes mental‑health consultation reaching roughly 150 sites and more than 1,400 classrooms. The council asked about improving data collection on family participation in Ready Start Network activities; staff said a uniform reporting mechanism is not yet in place but could be requested for PDG‑funded activities.
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