Danielle Muir brought her kindergartener to work today, and she will continue to do so throughout the school year. This is because she works at St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office, where Sheriff Bobby Guidroz has introduced a new program called CAPERS, standing for 'Children And Parents Education Relief System.'
"They provided us school desks for the children to sit in while they're in class. She listens to the teacher virtually from 7:45 to about 12. Then they go to lunch and then after lunch, it's on them. They do their work in their books or their color sheets or whatever they have to do," says Muir, who is a secretary in the Criminal Investigations Division.
For a single parent like Danielle, the program is life-changing.
"My babysitter would have had to keep my daughter and it would have cost more money definitely. It was a possibility that I would have ended up having to leave my job because I would have needed to be home with her to work with her," says Muir, who is also looking forward to the positive influence local law enforcement will have on her daughter.
The voluntary program allows St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office employees with school age children in grades K-9 to bring their children to the sheriff's office. Parents are permitted to supervise and assist their children with their assignments while also doing their job at the sheriff's office.
The children have access to "recess" (play time) at the sheriff's office, and have a place for lunch breaks. While lunches aren't provided by the sheriff's office, they work with the local school board with the delivery of school lunches.
So while the kids might miss the playground, they'll build a positive relationship with law enforcement in the meantime.
