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November

People of Louisiana – Military – Kim Clark, US Navy Veteran

 

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Kimberly Clark, U. S. Navy Veteran

This month we’re saluting Navy Veteran Kimberly Clark who is also a mother, daughter, bestselling author, and motivational speaker. Incredibly talented, Kimberly has achieved one amazing goal after another, however, her life hasn’t always been so great. After serving in the Navy for two years, her life took a dramatic, downward spiral that lasted over 12 years resulting in drug addiction, multiple arrests, the loss of her children, post-traumatic stress disorder and the effects of a nightmare of a childhood and sexual trauma while serving in the military. Kimberly is truly a survivor.

She eventually took advantage of mental health treatment and rehabilitation opportunities through the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System and began her journey home. She uncovered her insecurities, fears and distorted mindset, searching for a purpose in her life. She suffered profound loss and struggled to find a starting spot, but ultimately found her mission of sharing her experiences with others and the courage to post her arrest “booking” photos on social media to help others who might also be struggling. She says, “My mission is to ignite healing and drive transformation, empowering others to lead successful and fulfilling lives both personally and professionally.” She is especially passionate about reaching out and speaking to young adults. Kimberly believes that some of us are called to share those parts of our stories that others are ashamed of for them to be healed too. 

Kimberly and her mother co-parent her children, and she is dedicated to making sure they are raised with love and stability. She is a student of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is a committed volunteer for numerous Veterans organizations. She also serves as a peer support specialist with the Louisiana Department of Health. 

Kimberly Clark, Navy Veteran, Mom, daughter, bestselling author, motivational speaker, coach, trauma expert, recovering drug addict, and survivor. Thank you for your service. 

www.kimberlyclarkspeaks.com

 

People of Louisiana – Community – We Play Center

 

The We Play Center
Play, Coach, and Connect

When you think of positive memories from your childhood, it is likely that your memories have something to do with you playing – playing with a sibling, friend, or caregiver. Maybe you are playing pretend vet with your sibling and stuffed animals, playing in the sandbox with a friend, or finger painting with your grandparent. There’s a reason for this – PLAY is powerful. Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child finds that play – even in its most simple of meanings – helps children build positive, responsive relationships, builds the foundations of core life skills, and even reduces stress in a child’s life, all of which they believe are core principles of positive child development. Play, in short, meaningfully and positively builds a child’s brain, even before a child can talk. (I told you it was powerful!)

Maybe you find yourself wondering what kind of play is best for your child developmentally. That’s where the We Play Center brought to you by TrainingGrounds comes in!

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Co-founded by Melanie Richardson and Christine Neely, and located in New Orleans, the We PLAY Center provides a safe environment where parents and young children engage in play-based activities that promote adult/child attachment, and expose parents to nurturing and responsive parenting practices. All of the programs and services they provide are free of cost to families, regardless of income or situation. Through child-led play, they help develop social, emotional, cognitive and language skills while serving as a resource for parents and caregivers.

The We PLAY Center focuses on three core components- PLAY, COACH , and CONNECT.

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PLAY Through child-led play, trained parenting educators  help develop social, emotional, cognitive and language skills while serving as a resource for parents and caregivers.

COACH When families arrive at the Center, they are greeted by staff who are specially trained to provide coaching and support to parents. As the children find toys they are interested in, the We PLAY staff help caregivers in real time to build a deeper understanding of child development and offer coaching to parents on how to maximize bonding experiences, all while the parent is actively engaging and playing with their child.

CONNECT In addition to providing a safe, trusting and supportive space for children and caregivers, the We PLAY Center connects families to a wide array of resources that are tailored to their specific needs. There are often many opportunities in the community for families, but knowing how to get access to them can be tricky. Through the We PLAY Center, families can get connected to, or receive on-site services for, developmental screenings, lactation support, parenting classes, autism spectrum caregiver support, and physical, mental and behavioral health service providers. Not only are parents connected, but the We PLAY Center supports parents as they receive the services they need to ensure continuity of care.

Each year, the We PLAY Center serves on average 1,150 parents and children. The Center has stood in the gap for families as they wait for a seat in a child care center or autism spectrum program, and for new parents, foster parents, grandparents raising their grandchildren, and others as they navigate caring for their child(ren) at home. Families from across the state and country have come to the We PLAY center or have signed up for their virtual programs, which is a testament to the efficacy of their services and to the community of support they have built.we play tunnel

Playing, Learning and Growing together is at the heart of all of all TrainingGrounds programs. Families are better for it. Louisiana is better for it.

If you are a caregiver of a child under 5 years old and want to know more about getting connected to the We PLAY Center, visit https://www.mytraininggrounds.org/we-play-center.

If you are a local leader and want to discuss bringing the We PLAY Center model to your community, send an email to weplay@mytraininggrounds.org.

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About the Founders

Melanie Richardson

 

Melanie’s passion lies in supporting parents with understanding child development so they can help their children flourish. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Pennsylvania.  As a licensed master social worker, Melanie is devoted to creating accessible and supportive programs for families and young children. Melanie actively participates in various steering committees and advisory groups responsible for supporting early childhood care and education, infant mental health and early childhood leaders of color. Melanie is a 2022 Early Childhood Policy Leadership Institute member, a 2023 Volunteers of America Futures Fund Community Health Incubator Fellow and a member of WKKF Community Leadership Cohort 3 Network.  She is married to Seneca Knight and they have one son.

Christine Neely

Christine Neely has been in the field of Education for over 20 years and has always worked to improve standards and provide resources to families and students. She received her undergraduate degree from Tulane University and her Masters in Education from Loyola University.  Christine has spent over 15 years serving as lead teacher in grades PK-3rd while working closely with administration to mentor new teachers, develop curriculum and make the switch to Common Core.  She is an active member of P.E.O International which promotes educational opportunities for women worldwide.  She has been married for over 22 years and has two teenage boys.

 

Louisiana Fosters – Annual Event

 

Annual Celebration Highlights 619 Adoptions, Gov. and First Lady Edwards’ Service

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The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services kicked off National Adoption Month Wednesday, November1,with the 25th annual Adoption Celebration, honoring the 465 families who adopted 619 children and youth from foster care during the past year. The event was once again highlighted by First Lady Donna Edwards speaking and hosting at the Governor’s Mansion. Families who attended enjoyed face painting, balloon animals, family pictures in a photo booth and creating ornaments that will be hung on a Christmas tree in the Mansion this year.

Among the state’s 619 adoptions from foster care this year, four were young adults from the Extended Foster Care program, which serves young adults ages 18 to 21. Another 43 adoptions were of youth ages 13 to 17. There were 307 siblings who were adopted together by 176 families. Of the 465 adoptive families, 133 are single parents, who adopted 175 of the 619 children. This year’s number of adopted children brought the total over the last eight years to 5,998.Nine of this year’s adoptions were completed with the help of Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters, specialized adoption workers assigned to take on some of the most challenging and complex cases, through a partnership with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Louisiana has nine Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters, including one who works within the Extended Foster Care program. At the end of the celebration, DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks presented a plaque to First Lady Donna Edwards in acknowledgment of her service to the children and families of Louisiana over the last eight years. Adoption Spotlight (Greater New Orleans Region)

Each month we feature children and teens who are available for adoption in Louisiana. For the month of November, we’d like to introduce you to Samej and Domonick from the Greater New Orleans Region.

Samej-13 Samej is a fun, energetic teen who desires a loving, supportive family. He loves going to school and participating in extracurricular activities. Samej will do well in a loving one or two parent home, with or without children. He enjoys going to the store and shopping and participating in family functions. Samej will definitely steal your heart with his infectious smile and loving personality.

Domonick–13 Domonick enjoys watching football and basketball on television and is an avid New Orleans Saints and Pelicans fan. He loves when someone reads to him daily, and he finds it very soothing when someone rubs his forehead. Domonick is in need of a family that he can develop a special bond. He enjoys being outside with the warm sun beaming on his face. Domonick is looking for a forever family that will provide him with unconditional love and care. If you are considering adopting or fostering a child, take that first step by attending a free, virtual orientation session. For more information about becoming a foster/adoptive parent and the training available, visit our website. You can also call your regional office or emailDCFS.HomeDevelopment@la.govwith your name and parish of residence for more information.

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Visit the Louisiana Fosters Website

 

People of Louisiana – Cory Joy Craig & Tia M. Trahan

 

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Cory Joy Craig

Music Teacher and Band Director at Benton Intermediate School in Bossier Parish Schools 2024
Louisiana Middle School Teacher of the Year
Grammy Nominee for Music Educator of the Year in 2022, 2023, and 2024
Louisiana Tech University School of Music Alumnus of the Year for 2022
Louisiana Music Education Association’s Outstanding Young Music Educator of the Year Award in 2019
Middle School Band Director of the Year in LMEA District VIII in 2017 and 2023

Personal Website :www.coryjoycraig.com
Facebook-Cory Joy Craig
Instagram-@coryjoy

Going Beyond the Classroom: The Transformative Role of Love and Kindness in Education, Foster Care and Music

Elementary teachers play a pivotal role in the lives of our students, often serving as compassionate individuals who go above and beyond to protect their well-being in their first decade of life. After the initial removal from our biological home, our parents cleaned up the house, took some parenting classes and Child Protective Services (CPS) placed us back with occasional “check-in” visits throughout the years to ensure our safety. CPS always called my parents before their visits, so we rushed to clean the house and put on a good show. No one was allowed to say anything that would make my parents look bad. We may have been able to fool CPS, but my elementary teachers, especially my kindergarten teacher Mrs. Hope, truly saw us in our poverty. Mrs. Hope would give me extra hugs every morning when I walked into her classroom and one more before I walked home. She brought extra snacks and supplies, took my clothes home to wash, stepped up to meet with my parents, exercised patience when I was frustrated easily and created a safe and loving space for us to take refuge in. There were several teachers who met our needs however they could until the time I was 10 years old and a teacher made a call to report the bruises they saw on my brother’s head. After that, CPS came unannounced, and we were rescued and given a second chance at life. The elementary teachers brave enough to love us through our roughness and report the abuse the moment they had proof made the most profound impact on my life.   
 
The Impact of Foster Parents and Social Workers
The love and care provided by the team of foster parents and social workers can create a profound impact on a child’s life as well. For my six siblings and me, the positive transition to foster care brought newfound stability and emotional support that we had never received before. The nurturing environment provided by my dedicated foster parents allowed us to heal, grow and ultimately thrive. They were our cheerleaders, consistently pushing us to not let our past be an excuse for failure. We were met with love and patience when we were rowdy and tough to handle. We had food consistently, clean clothes and learned to brush our teeth, take showers and treat our things with care. We learned the importance of kindness not just towards each other but to others around us. he support provided by CPS and the social workers gave my foster parents the resources for tutoring and experienced therapists, including group talk meetings and helping us get involved in extracurricular activities such as the Royal Family Kids Camp and Operation Christmas Child boxes. We went from failing students to “C” average, which was quite the struggle! By offering love, stability, support, understanding, positive experiences and a nurturing home, these foster parents and a team of incredible individuals played a crucial role in influencing our path.  
 
The Impact of Music and the Music Teacher
Beyond the academic realm, music education plays a significant role in shaping people’s character and instilling crucial life skills that cannot be learned anywhere else. While in my second foster home in 7th grade, I was randomly placed in an intermediate band class not knowing a lick of music. Then, my incredible band director, Mr. Robbins, began to teach. He taught us how to read music and, then, how to make music happen through our instruments. He taught us how to teach each other, listen and work as a team. More importantly, he taught us how to work hard, that our sound was important, that our voice was meaningful, and that, no matter what we were going through personally, we needed to focus on what mattered at that moment and push toward our goals in the future. We were united by a common goal, and, for the first time in my life, I began to taste success. His words and passion for music worked as a tidal wave of change washing over my life that gave me hope. That experience gave me a sense of direction to become that for others as a music teacher one day, so I learned how to be academically diligent in and out of band class, pushing me toward becoming a straight “A” student. The influence of a phenomenal band director cannot be understated. Through exceptional music education, I gained the discipline, perseverance, and grit necessary to triumph over tough times. Mr. Robbins’ dedication, passion and belief in his students instilled a drive for excellence, propelling me forward toward my goals instead of consistently living in the past as a victim.  
 
In reflecting upon my journey this far, I am constantly reminded of the profound impact that sacrificial love and kindness can have on shaping the lives of our young learners. It is through the collective efforts of teachers, foster parents and exceptional music education that we create an environment conducive to success for all students, especially those coming from troubling situations. When we extend our support beyond the classroom, we empower our students to reach their full potential and become resilient individuals equipped for life’s challenges. I encourage you to continue to invest your time, energy, love and homes for the young minds of Louisiana, knowing that we are a culmination of the sacrificial love and kindness shown to us. Together, we can create hope and a future for students in our classrooms, foster children in our homes, and music students in our programs. 
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Tia M. Trahan, M.Ed

2024 Louisiana State Principal of the Year
Lafayette Middle School
Principal, Lafayette Parish School System 
National Board Certified Teacher
 
School Website:https://www.lpssonline.com/schools/lafayette
School Facebook:Lafayette Middle
Twitter:@Tia_Trahan

 

Leading with Love is the Golden Key
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Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This quote screams the climate and culture of our great state of Louisiana! As Louisianans, we have a charming reputation for being welcoming and hospitable-showering our visitors with delicious food, great music, exciting adventures and friendly smiles. This incredible sentiment is something that is replicated in schools and classrooms across our great state.

Growing up in a low socio-economic, rural community in Lacombe, Louisiana, my small town had no caution lights, fast-food restaurants, high school, and no one verbally communicating they loved you—at least not in my household. In contrast, what my town did have was an elementary and junior high school, a fire station, a post office, and most memorably, it had a diverse population of people who genuinely loved each other—visible in actions—not words. That is how it was in my household.

I will never forget the day in July 1990, sitting under the giant oak tree in the front yard of my small, childhood wood-frame home when my dad’s boss pulled up in our gravel driveway. As he stepped out of his vehicle, tears rolled down my eyes. You see, my dad had passed away a few days before, and his boss was there to pick up his work truck. Before walking into the house to see my mom, he stopped to talk tome. He told me although he had never personally met me, he felt he had known me for years. He then handed me a double photo frame with two pictures of me he had taken off of my dad’s desk. He shared how proud my dad was of me and how his face lit up whenever he talked about my accomplishments. Without actually saying it, I felt it was being communicated that my dad loved me. From that point on, I always, in both words and actions, communicate my love for others. I not only take this approach in my personal life, but it is the approach I take in leading my school. I lead with LOVE—I choose to Listen, Observe, Value and Empower. The impact of leading with LOVE is golden! These four actions are two fold: they foster a cohesive culture and serve as connectors inbuilding strong trusting relationships among educational leaders, teachers, and students.

Listen

In all aspects of our lives, we feel the most valued when someone attentively listens as we verbally express our thoughts, feelings and opinions. As educational leaders and teachers, we should listen to our predecessors for us to strengthen our relationships and grow our craft. We should build on the foundation of structures already in place. We should listen to other experienced educators—they are a great resource. Collectively, the insight gained is infinite! Educational leaders, meet with your teachers and let them do most of the talking; this affords you the opportunity to get to know them on a deeper level-both personally and professionally. Educational leaders and teachers, listen to your students; it is amazing what you will learn! Most importantly, listen to your mind and heart, and let them guide you.

Observe

Oftentimes, unspoken language speaks louder than words. It is imperative that, as educational leaders and teachers, we familiarize ourselves with the body language of our students and each other. This language speaks volumes! Educational leaders, observe your teachers in their classrooms as they prepare for instruction and how they interact with colleagues in professional learning communities. Make a conscious effort to observe student demeanors as you greet them in the morning and throughout the day. Get to know their norms. Observe how students are greeted by teachers as they enter the classroom and participate in class discussions. Teachers observe how students interact with each other. Observe how they respond when you call on them to read or answer questions. This can communicate if they are an extrovert or introvert. It can also communicate if students are struggling with content or are an accelerated learner.

Value

Value the climate and culture of the school, as this speaks volumes about who you are as a school family. This feeling is the invisible light that illuminates the halls for students, faculty, staff and visitors. It is a light that can be seen and felt from the moment someone enters your school. Value the knowledge and wisdom of veteran teachers who have been at the school. Value the innovative ideas of novice teachers. Conduct a needs survey of all stakeholders and value the feedback, both favorable and unfavorable. Be receptive and make it a priority to attend to the needs shared.

Empower

Empowering others builds confidence, strengthens capacity and elevates individual potential. As educational leaders, we have a responsibility to empower both our teachers and students to take ownership of their strengths and growth areas. We must believe in others even if they do not believe in themselves! We must create opportunities for them to take the lead, thus prompting a better sense of belonging and purpose. When we encourage this practice, you will learn, grow and evolve as a school family. You will come across roadblocks, but give yourself grace. Embrace each moment by listening, observing, valuing and empowering. Leading with LOVE and putting the needs of children first will build relationships and provide you with the Golden Key to a successful school year and many more to come.

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Women’s Health – What Women Need To Know About Diabetes

 

Women’s Health

WOMEN'S HEALTH BLOG November 2022

What Women Need To Know
About Diabetes

An estimated 30 million Americans have diabetes. Women are at a greater risk of being diagnosed. In Louisiana, 12.8% of women are diagnosed compared to 10.4% of men. However, there are things we can do to help prevent a diagnosis, or to manage diabetes better.

 What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disorder that occurs when the pancreas fails to produce insulin, or the body is unable to use the insulin produced. This results in a condition called hyperglycemia, which is high blood sugar levels. As food is digested, it breaks down into glucose (sugar) and enters the bloodstream. Simultaneously, the pancreas produces insulin that enters the bloodstream to move sugar throughout the body to provide energy. When this process fails, diabetes is the result.

Types of Diabetes:

  • Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease, which means the body’s immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin. Type 1 Diabetics take insulin daily. This is known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or juvenile diabetes because it can affect children. It is unclear what causes it, but it is believed to be genetic or environmental.
  • Type 2 Diabetes is a result of the body not being able to make enough insulin or it’s unable to use it correctly. This is known as insulin-resistance. The blood sugar cannot enter the cells to be stored for energy and accumulates in the blood. These individuals may not require insulin and are known as non-insulin-dependent diabetics.  
  • Gestational Diabetes is diagnosed during pregnancy for patients without a previous diagnosis of diabetes. Expectant mothers are screened between 24- and 28 weeks by taking a Glucose Tolerance Test. Women who test positive are likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later on.

Risk Factors:

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Women’s Health, women that are 45 years old and older, with a family history of diabetes, overweight, not physically active, history of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, or stroke, polycystic ovarian syndrome, gestational diabetes, delivered a nine-pound infant, and certain racial and ethnic groups are at greater risk for Type 2 diabetes.  

Direct Impact on Women:

Women are prone to increased risk of heart disease, urinary tract infections, yeast infections, changes in the menstrual cycle, and issues with menopause, intimacy, fertility, and pregnancy. It is essential to talk to your doctor about these issues.

 Prevention is Key:

It’s imperative to be intentional about committing to lifestyle changes that will help decrease risks and prevent diabetes by making healthy choices, including maintaining a moderate weight, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, and monitoring sugar levels, which is typically checked at your annual wellness visit.

 Know the Symptoms:  

Undiagnosed or poorly managed diabetes can be detrimental. It is imperative to call your doctor if you experience frequent urination, unusually thirsty, losing weight unintentionally, hungry often, blurred vision, numbing or tingling of hands or feet, extremely tired, dehydrated, dry skin, sores that heal slowly, nauseated, vomiting, abdominal pain, and increase in infections.

 Avoid Complications:

Diabetes is the seventh most common cause of death in the United States, and women are 42% more likely to die from diabetes. Complications as a result of diabetes include coronary heart disease, nerve damage, vision or hearing loss, amputation, kidney failure, and depression, to name a few.

Care and Treatment:

Proper care and treatment can help manage diabetes and prevent complications through education, support, medication management, weight control, monitoring labs, blood sugar, meal planning, and exercise.

Diabetes may alter your lifestyle, but you can still enjoy living.

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Cyntrel Janeau,
DNP, MN, RN, C-EFM, LNC

Cyntrel Janeau, a native of New Orleans, LA, has 30 years of experience as a Registered Nurse working in diverse roles from bedside nursing to leadership. Her clinical background includes Maternal-Child, Surgical Services, and School-based Nursing. She has extensive experience in Quality, Patient Safety, Performance Improvement, Regulatory Compliance, and Grievance Management. She started her nursing career at the historic Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Currently, she works at Ochsner Baptist in the TeleStork Bunker, remotely monitoring fetal strips for multiple hospitals. She is a proud alumnus of Charity-Delgado School of Nursing, where she was an inaugural graduate of the Associate of Science in Nursing in 1993. She completed the inaugural Legal Nurse Consultant program in 2003 at the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Nursing. Cyntrel obtained a Bachelor’s in Nursing in 2006 and a Master’s in 2009 from LSU. She was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing and became a Great 100 Nurse in 2010. She recently graduated with honors (4.0) earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Healthcare Systems Leadership from Chamberlain University in August 2022. She is Certified in Electronic Fetal Monitoring and is a member of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nursing.

 

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Louisiana Fosters – National Adoption Month

 

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National
Adoption
Month

 

National Adoption Month

Louisiana marked National Adoption Month on November 3 with a celebration at the Governor’s Mansion honoring 538 families who adopted 700 children and youth from foster care during the past year.

Among the state’s 700 adoptions from foster care in Federal Fiscal Year 2022 were three young-adult adoptions from the Extended Foster Care program, which serves young adults ages 18-21. Another 55 adoptions – or 8% of all adoptions this year – were of youth aged 13-17.

Altogether, 269 siblings were adopted together by 122 families, including 99 families who adopted two siblings, 21 families that adopted three siblings, and two families each adopted four siblings this year.

Fifteen of this year’s adoptions were completed with the help of Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters, specialized adoption workers assigned to take on some of the most challenging and complex cases through a partnership with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Louisiana has 9 Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters, including one who works within the Extended Foster Care program.

Louisiana Fosters Luncheon Held October 11

First Lady Donna Edwards hosted the annual Louisiana Fosters luncheon on October 11 at the Governor’s Mansion. Louisiana Fosters is a statewide campaign linking government, faith, non-profit, business, and service communities in support of foster parents and children. 

Organizations in attendance included DCFS along with non-profits Crossroads NOLA, Northshore Enduring Hope, and One Heart NOLA. Representatives shared their experiences working with children and families in the child welfare system and highlighted the importance of community partnerships in serving foster caregivers, birth families, kinship families, and foster children. 

Faith leaders and pastors in attendance were invited to connect with Louisiana Fosters Partners to learn how churches can get involved in meeting the needs of their local foster care communities. 

If you are considering adoption or fostering a child, take that first step by attending a free virtual orientation session. Check out the current orientation schedule. For more information about becoming a foster/adoptive parent and the training available, visit dcfs.la.gov/foster

November Adoption Spotlight

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This month’s adoption spotlight features Jade (16) from the Orleans Region and Quentrell (15) from the Baton Rouge Region. 

Jade has been ready for her forever family since October 2016; that’s more than 2,100 days. She loves taking pictures, playing games, swimming, and playing on the computer and her tablet. She also loves the Disney Channel and cooking pasta. She is looking for a family who will give her the love and support needed to reach her full potential.

Quentrell has also been ready for his forever family since October 2016. He enjoys meeting new people and making new friends. He loves spending time with the elderly, acting, and pets! He also desires to maintain contact with some of his biological relatives. 

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Visit the Louisiana Fosters Website

 

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Teach MAM – A Partnership for Physical Success

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teach MAM

 

Teach MAM: An Exciting Partnership to Strengthen Arts Education Across Louisiana

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TEACH MAM

A Partnership Built for Physical Success

Teach MAM Initiative & Governor’s Council
on Physical Fitness and Sports 

In August of 2021, the First Lady’s Teach MAM Initiative partnered with D. Rudy Macklin, Executive Director with the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. As you may know, the Teach MAM Initiative focuses on teaching movement, art, and music to students, encouraging them to learn in many ways. Honing the aspects of movement and being physically active as objectives, the Teach MAM Initiative has assisted the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in accomplishing many events promoting movement in the past year.  

The mission of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports:

  • Develop, foster, and coordinate services and programs of physical fitness and sports for the people of Louisiana;  
  • Sponsor physical fitness and sports workshops, clinics, conferences, and other similar activities;  
  • Give recognition to outstanding developments and achievements in, and contributions to, physical fitness and sports;  
  • Collect and disseminate physical fitness and sports information and initiate advertising campaigns promoting physical fitness and sports;  
  • Assist the Department of Education in helping schools in developing health and health and physical fitness programs for students; 
  • Encourage local governments and communities to develop local physical fitness programs and amateur athletic competitions;  
  • Develop programs to promote personal health and physical fitness in cooperation with medical, dental, and other similar professional societies;  
  • Enlist the support of individuals, civic groups, amateur and professional sports associations, and other organizations to promote and improve physical fitness and sports programs. 

The two entities have combined forces throughout the state to produce many student, youth, and adult events that promote and advocate for a physically active lifestyle.  

Here are just a few highlights of this year’s events:

Louisiana Governor’s Games
Louisiana Governor’s Games (LGG) is the state’s premier amateur sporting event, where sports enthusiasts from around the state and country participate in various athletic competitions. With 20 sporting events statewide, LGG provides an opportunity for competition and fitness for all ages, skill levels, and economic demographics. LGG is held in cities across the state, and events include basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, boxing, tennis, track and field, girls’ softball, youth baseball, and much more. 

Several events fell under this category:

Governor’s Games Baseball Mother’s Day Classic 
Date Held: Saturday, April 23, 2022 – Sunday, April 24, 2022 
Location: Chalmette, Metairie 

Governor’s Games Baseball City of Lights XVI  
Date Held: Friday, May 13, 2022 – Sunday, May 15, 2022
Location: Natchitoches, Shreveport  

Governor’s Games Baseball XLIII Select Super NIT 
Date: Friday, May 20 – Sunday, May 22, 2022 
Location: Lake Charles, Sulphur

Governor’s Games Baseball Remember Our Heroes 
Date: Friday, May 27,2022-Sunday, May 29, 2022
Location: Baton Rouge

18th Annual 2022 New Orleans Girl’s Volleyball Blastoff
Date: January 15-16 2022
Location: New Orleans

Games Uniting Mind and Body (GUMBO) is an interscholastic track and field competition designed for children ages 5 to 18 who have physical or visual disabilities. The events are similar to any other track and field event: races, shot put, discus, etc. However, what makes GUMBO different is that all athletes have mobility or visual impairments, meaning that most compete with leg braces, wheelchairs, or assistance from sighted guides. The athletes competing in GUMBO do not have an intellectual disability. Eligibility for competition comes from having a physical disability or visual impairment, and athletes compete with athletes with similar impairments. GUMBO strives to support students with disabilities by developing active minds, self-confidence, dignity, discipline, competitive spirit, and comradeship. Like other competitive sporting events, GUMBO competitions challenge athletes to improve performance, strength, speed, endurance, and coordination. 

One of the largest student events that stretch across 20+ parishes is the Louisiana Schools Elementary Fitness Meet. This event is open to all elementary students who fall within the age requirements for the event. The competition consists of; 50-Yard Dash, Pull-Ups, Shuttle Run, Standing Long Jump, Curl-Ups, 600-Yard Run, Sit and Reach. 

Two boys and two girls from each parish will be able to advance to the Championships in May. 

Each student can score a maximum of 125 points in each event, depending on their personal performance. Each participant will be timed or measured in all seven (7) events. Once each parish holds its qualifying event, those students with the highest combined score can advance to the next level of the parish and then to the state level. 

One of the most successful Adult sponsored events is the Own Your Own Health Louisiana (OYOHLA) event. 

OYOHLA is a comprehensive health program designed to empower Louisianans to become active participants in their health and health care through healthy eating and activity and an overall healthy lifestyle. This program has been separated into three-month challenges such as weight loss and steps (physical activity). Each participant was asked to form teams of two to ten people or sign up as individual participants and begin achieving weight loss from a healthy, appropriate diet as well as accumulated activity in the form of a variety of tasks ranging from light exercise (e.g. gardening and walking) to heavy exercise such as running. 

OYOHLA starts in January and concludes in April in cities and towns of all sizes throughout Louisiana. While everyone was encouraged to participate, the program featured components specifically targeting minorities such as African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders. These groups are our most vulnerable populations and are more susceptible to obesity and chronic diseases, as well as related conditions e.g. diabetes, heart disease, stroke, preventable cancers, and many others. 

The OYOHLA program featured the challenges: steps, weight loss, and nutrition. The program is 100% free and web-based. Throughout the program, participants were encouraged to set realistic goals and make informed decisions about their health.

As you can see, there are many opportunities for students, youth, and adults to Get Up, Get Out and Get Moving! Take every chance you can to be physically active. There are many more programs available throughout the state. 

Visit these websites for more information and resources on physical activity, sports, and overall lifelong fitness, health, and wellness. 

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Anti-Human Trafficking: Justice for Survivors

 

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Justice for Survivors Act

Louisiana has made significant progress in legislative efforts to fight against human trafficking and support survivors. In the last eight years, we have passed laws that:

  • Required the National Human Trafficking hotline information to be posted in certain establishments
  • Increased criminal penalties for trafficking
  • Required training for law enforcement and members of the Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy
  • Created the Office of Human Trafficking Prevention within the Office of the Governor

Most recently, a law was passed that created a process for providing criminal record expungements for survivors when they commit certain offenses directly resulting from trafficking victimization. This bill, known as the Michelle Johnson ACT, was the first meaningful step in addressing the criminalization of human trafficking survivors. The ACT, however, only considers a pathway for survivors to obtain relief regarding their criminal records for non-violent offenses. It did not expand the list of affirmative defenses to prosecution for most offenses a trafficking survivor may be forced to commit. 

As a result, Louisiana’s current laws still fall short of recognizing the extreme duress, coercion, and ongoing violence that human trafficking survivors are subjected to. We all want safety for ourselves and our loved ones. Still, too often, when human trafficking survivors turn to the community or legal systems for help, the services they need are unavailable, or they end up falling through the cracks. Survivors in these perilous situations should not have to choose between prison or death when they commit a crime under duress or kill a trafficker in self-defense. However, this is still their unfortunate reality: they can still be criminalized for protecting themselves or their children. That is why a coalition of advocates have come together to propose the Justice for Survivors Act. This bill will prevent the incarceration of survivors going forward and provide a relief process through the courts for survivors who have already been convicted. Prosecuting traffickers is not enough to end trafficking. 

For Louisiana to reduce trafficking, we must work together to change conditions that make people vulnerable to traffickers. By passing the Justice for Survivors Act, we can make remarkable progress in ending trafficking. Please be on the lookout for this critical legislation in the upcoming 2023 Regular Session.

 

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Feature: Find Your Joy

 

Find Your Joy

Written by Dr. Ashley Owen

 

 

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Find Your Joy

The holidays are upon us and while the season is often referred to as the “most wonderful time of the year”, many struggle to find joy. The reality can be that the holidays foster shorter times of sunlight, memories, and additional expectations. All of these factors can leave some individuals facing the challenge of coping while others are singing carols. It is important to note this can be the most difficult time of year for many of us. In a 2021 study, the American Psychological Association found that 38% of individuals surveyed noted increased stress during the holiday season leading to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The increase of stress can stem from the expectation to carry on traditions, to purchase the latest and greatest gift, or to be in many places all at once. The stress of work tends to heighten as many worry about getting enough time off work while meeting rigorous deadlines. In fact, a 2014 study conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) participants revealed that 64% of people with mental illness report the holidays make their conditions worse.

Emotions run high during the holidays and stress likely takes on a different meaning. Individuals feel the pressure to give and maintain the best they can for their families. It is common to experience a wide range of emotions. I encourage you to practice acceptance of these emotions while acknowledging you’re trying your best. Acknowledge your feelings and validate even the unpleasant feelings while recognizing these emotions can be temporary. The act of repressing negative emotions can lead conditions to worsen overall.

This year, make the holidays a joyful time by prioritizing healthy habits, boundary setting and time for connection. Connection and meaning are integral contributors to your mental health. Make time for relationships by prioritizing time to reconnect to yourself and those around you. You can set realistic expectations of yourself while being mindful of comparing the current year to years past. Simply focus on what you can do to make the holiday season the best it can be. You may have to say no to great things and that is okay. Leave yourself time to decompress while focusing on what is most important to you.

This holiday season, I hope you will join me in making your mental health a priority. Start today by identifying the most stressful portions of the holidays and write a list of ways you can prepare in advance. With a bit of extra planning and an emphasis on personal care, this holiday season could be your most joyful one yet! I challenge you to begin thinking of ways you can simplify your holidays, prioritize self-care and connection, and regain the true meaning of the holiday season.

Dr. Ashley Owen is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and a National Certified Counselor. She is a member of the Louisiana Counseling Association and currently serves as the Director of Counseling Services at Louisiana Tech University.

 

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People of Louisiana – Schools (November 2022)

 

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HEATHER BROOKS

2023 Louisiana Elementary School State Principal of the Year

Haynesville Elementary School, Principal/Claiborne Parish 

 
 
 
 
 

HEATHER BROOKS

2023 Louisiana Elementary School State Principal of the Year
Haynesville Elementary School, Principal/Claiborne Parish 

Holiday READing

As an elementary school principal, I am not sure I can think of a better gift we can give our students than the gift of teaching them how to read. Helping all students become fluent readers by the end of third grade is an issue that is so vital to our students, and I am incredibly passionate about it. According to The Literacy Project, one in six children who are not reading proficiently in the third grade does not graduate from high school on time. Statistics like this make it obvious why early literacy is the primary focus at my own school and has been the focus of my platform as the 2023 Louisiana Elementary School State Principal of the Year. I have spoken passionately about ensuring all children learn to read and have communicated this urgent need to my amazing teachers. I am incredibly blessed that the teachers I have the privilege to lead agree that we must take all steps possible to ensure that our students have a bright future. This bright future hinges heavily on reading. Not only does that mean incorporating activities based on the Science of Reading into our classrooms, but it also means including families in their child’s reading progress.

As the holiday breaks draw near, families will have more time at home with their children. This time together will provide many opportunities to read together. Therefore, I would like to offer reading ideas and activities to participate in together by using the word “READ.” This would allow families to incorporate some fun and easy suggestions that adults can do with children at home, in the car, at the store, or just about anywhere to help them develop the skills necessary to become fluent and successful readers. 

Based on our steady increase in early literacy scores, these activities are things that I have seen working first-hand in the classrooms of my school. Since these strategies work in my school, I know they can help your child too!

R- Rhyming:

The first step in learning to read is being able to hear sounds! Did you know that even when you are riding in your car, you can do things to help your child develop as a reader? You can do things, such as playing rhyming games. Start by asking your child, “What rhymes with (insert word)?.” Then, see how many rhyming words you can come up with; the sillier, the better! You can also practice changing the sounds of words. For example, sound out a word, like h-a-t, and then ask your child to change the /h/ sound to an /s/ sound. These simple games, like making silly rhymes and playing with sounds, can be played anywhere and are such an easy way to begin developing your child’s early literacy skills. 

E- Environmental Print:

Letters and Words are all around us! Road signs, food labels, names of places, and holiday recipes all display letters and words you can use to help your child notice and read. While shopping for or preparing the ingredients of your delicious holiday meals, point out different labels on food items. Ask your child questions like: What sound does this start with? What letters do you see? What other words do you know that start with that letter or that sound? You can play a sort-of BINGO game where you try to find products that start with all 26 letters. Your child can take a little notebook to the store and mark off each letter of the alphabet as they find words that begin with that letter; what a fun way to spend time in a store shopping and to enhance their reading skills at the same time.

A- Adults Reading With Children:

The most important thing you can do with your child at home to help them grow as a reader is to read with them! Visit your local library, check out books on your child’s reading level, and spend at least 15 minutes a day reading. To develop a love for reading, you can also check out some books that match your child’s interests and read those with your child. As you read with your child, ask them questions about what you are reading. Ask them about the characters, the setting, and what they like or dislike about the book. Reading for just 15 minutes a day gives your child an academic advantage! They will be exposed to more words and be more likely to score higher on standardized testing.

D- Decoding:

Decoding is one of the most important things your child will learn to do during their journey to becoming a fluent reader. Decoding means that your child can use what they know about letters and sounds to make words. Some fun activities to do to practice decoding are sounding out and writing words in shaving cream or sand, air-writing (students “write” the letters in the air with their fingers), or sliding pennies for each sound in a word and then pushing the pennies together quickly as they say the whole word. Once a child can decode, having them consistently read books or stories on their level becomes even more important in helping them become independent and fluent readers!

If you are reading this as a parent, I hope you will use the time spent with family during the upcoming holiday breaks to practice some of these easy suggestions that can significantly benefit your child as a reader and help you have fun learning together! If you would like more resources or activities, I encourage you to check out the Louisiana Department of Education’s Louisiana Family Literacy Library.

If you are reading this as an educator, please share these, or similar strategies, with your students’ families. Family engagement can impact a student’s success as a reader, and it is our job as leaders in education to ensure that families are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to support reading at home.  

“The more that you read, the more things that you will know. The more things that you learn, the more places you will go!” -Dr. Seuss

-Mrs. Heather Brooks
2023 Louisiana Elementary School State Principal of the Year
Haynesville Elementary School, Principal/Claiborne Parish
Facebook: Haynesville Elementary School

Twitter: @heatherbbrooks3

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