RESOURCES | ARCHIVE | EVENTS | MARSIGLIA INSTITUTE | 2023 LEGISLATIVE CHAMPIONS
PARTNERS | ABOUT US | FIVE AWAKE
SIGN UP FOR UPDATES
WHO WE ARE
United Way advances the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. We fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community we serve.
United Way recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. We invite you to be part of the change.
PUBLIC POLICY PRIORTIES
United Way SELA’s Public Policy team advocates year-round for policies and programs that advance our mission to eradicate poverty in Southeast Louisiana and stabilize ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households.
ALICE highlights individuals and families across Louisiana who work hard, yet cannot afford the basics. ALICE lives paycheck to paycheck with little to no savings - one emergency from falling into poverty.
We work collaboratively across sectors to advance bipartisan policies in health, education, financial stability, and community strengthening that create opportunities for vulnerable households to thrive. Together, we can create truly equitable communities.
View our recent public policy work below, and sign up here to speak out.
.png)
United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s 2025 Public Policy Priorities
United Way of Southeast Louisiana Public Policy 2025 State Legislative Policy Priorities, United for a Safe and Prosperous Community, will continue to advance our fight to eradicate poverty in Southeast Louisiana through the Blueprint for Prosperity and support ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households.
EVENTS
2025 Early Ed Month
United Way of Southeast Louisiana kicked off 2025 Early Ed Month (EEM) at Royal Castle Child Development Center in Orleans Parish. EEM is a statewide initiative to highlight the urgent need for increased investment in high-quality early childhood education. The effort aims to inform policymakers, business leaders, parents, and advocates about early education's critical role in strengthening Louisiana's workforce, economy, and future
:
Public Policy Educational Sessions
UWSELA Public Policy held two successful educational sessions to gain insight from experts on key public policy issues to develop a comprehensive 2025 State Legislative Agenda. You may view a recordings of UWSELA Public Policy Educational Sessions 1 and 2 below.
_1.png)
SESSION #1: Education & Health
Speakers included: Dr. Toya Barnes-Teamer, Teamer Strategy Group, LLC, Owner/CEO and UWSELA Public Policy Chair; Michael Williamson, UWSELA, President & CEO; Charmaine Caccioppi, UWSELA, Executive Vice President & COO; Karen E. Powell, Deputy Assistant Superintendent, Early Childhood Care & Education, Louisiana Department of Education; Sadie Becnel, Government Affairs Director & General Counsel, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children; Dr. Tristan Denley, Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs & Innovation, Louisiana Board of Regents; Secretary Michael Harrington, Louisiana Department of Health; Jeanie Donovan, Deputy Director of Population Health & Disease Prevention, New Orleans Health Department; Liz Skilton, Associate Director of Research at the Blanco Center, and head of the Implementation Team for the Louisiana Department of Health’s Statewide Whole Health Louisiana Program
Session #2: Financial Stability & Community Strengthening
Speakers included: Dr. Toya Barnes-Teamer, Teamer Strategy Group, LLC, Owner/CEO and UWSELA Public Policy Chair; Michael Williamson, UWSELA, President & CEO; Charmaine Caccioppi, UWSELA, Executive Vice President & COO; Larry Frieman, Chief Deputy Attorney General, Louisiana Department of Justice; Aly Rau, Deputy Secretary, Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services; Stacey Roussel, Deputy Director, Invest in Louisiana; Mariah Wineski, Executive Director, Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Tour of Prosperity Center
Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Commissioner of Higher Education, and the Louisiana Board of Regents executive staff toured United Way of Southeast Louisiana J. W. Leonard Prosperity Center on March 28, 2025. Commissioner Reed was greeted by UWSELA Team, Public Policy Chair Toya Barnes-Teamer, and Chiquita Lattimore provided an overview of Community Impact/Financial Capability.
Event Photos
____________________________________________________________________________
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That
UWSELA Public Policy Committee read to students at the Bissonet Plaza Elementary School in honor of the Read Across America Week. Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2nd, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss. The goal of Read Across America is to promote literacy and a love of reading among children and to encourage them to explore the world of books and reading.
____________________________________________________________________________
Legislative Champions
The Ready Louisiana Coalition, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, and United Way of Southeast Louisiana, gave recognition to 2024 State Legislative Champions with an award on April 16, for their outstanding efforts to support early childhood education investment and unwavering commitment to expand access for families across Louisiana during the 2024 legislative session.
LPIC, Ready LA, UWSELA Legislative champions
- Governor Jeff Landry
- Congressman Cleo Fields
- Superintendent Cade Brumley
- President Pro Temp Regina Barrow
- President Cameron Henry
- Chairwoman Laurie Schlegel
- Rep. Ken Brass
- Rep. Aimee Freeman
- Rep. Barbara Freiberg
- Rep. Jason Hughes
- Rep. Vanessa LaFleur
- Rep. Matthew Willard
- Rep. John Wyble
- Sen. Gerald Boudreaux
- Sen. Royce Duplessis
- Sen. Rick Edmonds
- Sen. Mike Fesi
- Sen. Jimmy Harris
- Sen. Beth Mizell
- Sen. Thomas Pressly
- Sen. Mike Reese
- Sen. Glen Womack
- Rep. Brach Myers
- Rep. Kim Carver
→ SEE MORE EVENTS ←