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Louisiana Fosters – 5th Summit

 

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5th Louisiana Fosters Summit

Oct. 28, 2021

 

5th Louisiana Fosters
Summit

On October 28, 2021, Louisiana Superintendents, teachers, school counselors, the Department of Children and Family services, Louisiana Fosters, and partners participated in the 5th Louisiana Fosters Summit. The summit was able to reach all corners of the state through our virtual platform. This year covered all the aspects of trauma in our state and how it affects our children. Below is a recap of what each speaker had to say.

First Lady Donna Edwards opened up the 2021 Summit with gracious words of thanks to all who gave their time to attend the summing and listen to information that can change the lives of children in Louisiana.

Secretary Marketa Garner Walters talked about Louisiana fosters and the partnership the Department of children and family services has. She emphasized the importance of growing and supporting partnerships That support and bring hope to foster children in Louisiana.

Shelby Baird of Crossroads Nola did an exceptional job presenting how trauma impacts the brain and body of children who experience it. She elaborated and educated the audience on the way a brain with trauma is changed. She then talked about Trust-Based Relation Intervention (TBRI). Created by Dr. Karyn Purvis in the 1990s, TBRI was developed to facilitate healing and support for those children who need it most.

 To further these examples, a video called “Children of Central City” was shown.
You can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f149rnRMc4o.

Dr. Denise Shervington emphasized the need for understanding and compassion when working with children who have experienced trauma. She went over how children who experience trauma suffer biological changes. She reiterates that trauma is the underbelly of violence. She explained that trauma doesn’t just express itself in behavior problems but can manifest in truancy, low attention, and other problems that can be evident in schools. She talked of ways that systems can be more sensitive to the needs of children who have been through trauma.

Dr. Rhenda Hodnett, Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare, addressed partnerships with DCFS and teachers regarding the ins and outs of child abuse reporting. She noted that teachers are first-line and usually the earliest detectors of child abuse. Often these reports are unsubstantiated because interventions happen so early. She explains that DCFS is working tirelessly to offer support to families and makes a note that DCFS should be the last resort when working with families and communities.

The Special Projects Coordinator for the Pelican Center for Children and Families and the Program Improvement Plan Coordinator for the Louisiana Court Improvement Program, Michelle Gros, then introduced the My Community Cares. My Community Care is a program designed to connect the community to support high needs or high-risk families. The idea behind My Community Cares is to get the community and parents working together to benefit their children. Michelle introduced Andrea Fontenot, the co-founder of Fostering Communities, Erin Stokes, the principal at Pineville Elementary School, and Judge John Davidson of the 9th Judicial District of Louisiana. The four panelists began a dialogue about My Community Cares and the benefit it has made in their community.

You can find a link to that conversation here:
https://youtu.be/AosblmueHvs

To learn more about My Community Cares, click here: https://louisianafirstfoundation.com/louisiana-fosters-october2021/.

Caitlin LaVine is the Ace Educator Program coordinator from the Louisiana Office of Public Health. She gave valuable information on where the state of Louisiana is moving in the context of trauma. She explained that an effort to create a state-wide initiative that addresses aces, trauma and toxic stress in the workplace is underway in Louisiana, headed by her department. This state plan will put into place a model for Louisiana to address these things on every level.

With deep gratitude, we are thankful for the participants and the panelist who gave their time to learn more about how to help the children of Louisiana. To watch the entire summit, you can click the link below. If you have any questions feel free to email Katie@louisianafirstfoundation.com

Visit the Louisiana Fosters Website

 

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Louisiana Fosters – Partner Organizations for the Holiday Season

 

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Louisiana Fosters

Our Partner Organizations:
Donation Drives for the
Holiday Season

Partner Organizations

As we venture into the Holiday season, our team at Louisiana Fosters is spotlighting all the events and donation drives our partner organizations are doing this month to support foster care throughout Louisiana. We hope you can find an organization in your area to support! As always, we thank our partner organizations for the critical work they each do to help Louisiana’s children, our children.

Baton Rouge

Name of Organization: Children’s Advocacy Network
Event: Annual Toy Drive and Gumbo
Date: December 9
Time: 11-1
Contact number: 318-445-5678
Email: bgallent@childrensadvocacy.net
Website (if applicable): www.childrensadvocacy.net
Region served: Central Louisiana

Orleans

Name of Organization: Crossroads NOLA
Event: Amazon Gift Card Drive for Foster Families (Digital Amazon Gift Cards in $25 increments sent to laura@crossroadsnola distributed to foster families to purchase gifts for children in their homes)
Date: Deadline: Monday, December 14
Contact number: 504-482-9135
Email: laura@crossroadsnola.org
Region served: Orleans & Covington

Covington

Name of Organization: Tri-State Fostering
Event: Secret Santa Stocking for Foster Children
Date: present-Nov 30
Email: TriStateFostering@gmail.com
Region served: Covington and Baton Rouge

Name of Organization: Moving Mountains Ministry
Event: Gifts of Love (partnered with Crossroads NOLA Christmas for Families & DCFS)
– Providing Christmas gifts for specific families designated by DCFS. Find details for donations on the ministry website or Facebook page.
Contact number: 985-969-0855
Email: movingmountainsla@gmail.com
Website (if applicable):  www.movingmountainsla.com
Region served: Covington

Name of Organization: James Samaritan
Event: Unwrapped gifts & New Coats Drive (for all ages)
Date: December 11
Time: Drop off between 9-2 pm
Contact number: 985-888-6100
Email: staci@jamessamaritan.org
Website (if applicable): www.jamessamaritan.org
Region served: Florida Parishes

Thibodaux

Name of Organization: Bayou Region Foster & Adoptive Parent Association
Event: 2nd Annual Christmas Celebration
Date: December 13, 2020
Time: 3:00 pm
Contact number: 985-262-9511
Email: bayouregionfapa@gmail.com
Website (if applicable): N/A (Facebook: www.facebook.com/bayouregionfapa)
Region served: Thibodaux

Lafayette

Name of Organization: Foster the Love Louisiana
Event: 2nd Annual Pajama Drive
Date: Starts December 1
Contact number: 337.205.2155
Email: eventslafayette@fosterthelovela.org
Website (if applicable): fosterthelovela.org
Region served: DCFS Lafayette Region

Needs include pajama sizes preemie to Adult XL. We ask that no donations of gowns or dresses, only top, and bottom sets or zip-ups.

Name of Organization: Foster the Love
Event: Foster Parent Christmas Party
Date: December 12, 2020
Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Contact number: 337-205-2155
Email: eventslafayette@fosterthelovela.org
Website (if applicable): www.fosterthelovela.org
Region served: Lafayette

Monroe

Name: FAIR Visions (Foster Adoptive Information and Resources)
Event: Family Christmas Gift Program
Date: Now through November 24
Contact #: 318-614-8177 (Peggy Kirby)
Email: kirp50@juno.com
Region: 9

FAIR Visions is our local foster parent association. We have hosted a Family Christmas Party in the past, but due to COVID, we decided to provide a monetary donation to foster parents in our region.

Name of Organization: The Well of North Louisiana
Event: Community Christmas — a shopping experience
Date: December 11 & 12
Time: December 11: 12 – 2 pm & December 12: 9 am – 1 pm
Contact number: 318-232-2865
Email: info@thewellnla.com
Website (if applicable): www.thewellnla.com/christmas
Region served: Monroe

Alexandria

Name of Organization: Fostering Community
Event: Christmas Stockings & PJs for children in Foster Care
Date: 12-11-20
Time: 9am-4pm
Contact number: 318-446-0403
Email: andria@fosteringcommunity.org
Website (if applicable): www.fosteringcommunity.org
Region served: Alexandria

We are collecting new pajamas and Christmas stockings for children in foster care.
Please bring donations to our new location, 3336 Prescott Rd Alexandria, LA 71301, by December 11.

Shreveport

Name of Organization: Unite Ministries
Event: Christmas Express Toy Drive
Date: Until December 15
Time:
Contact number: 501-952-4839
Email: info@uniteministries-louisiana.org
Website (if applicable): www.uniteministries-louisiana.org
Region served: Shreveport

Statewide

Name of Organization: Louisiana Heart Gallery
Event: Christmas Joy Project
Date: Currently gathering items for Christmas
Contact number: 22 287 4000
Email: lhg.christmasjoyproject@empower225.org
Website (if applicable): Louisiana Heart Gallery
Region served: Entire state of Louisiana

Visit the Louisiana Fosters Website

 

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Featured Recipe: Turkey and Sausage Gumbo

 

TURKEY AND SAUSAGE GUMBO

Recipe Courtesy
First Lady Donna Edwards

TURKEY AND SAUSAGE GUMBO

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Ingredients:

1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 lb. andouille sausage, sliced 1/4 inch thick
4 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
Creole seasoning to taste
5 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1 cup of leftover Thanksgiving turkey

Optional: Tabasco Sauce to taste

Directions:

Step 1 – Make the Roux

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. When the oil gets hot, whisk in flour. Continue whisking until the roux has cooked to the color of dark chocolate, 10 to 12 minutes. You must stir constantly. Be careful not to burn the roux! You will have to start over if you see black specks in the mixture!

 Step 2

Stir the onion, bell pepper, celery, and sausage into the roux and cook down for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetable are clear and soft. Stir in the garlic and cook another 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Creole seasoning; blend thoroughly. Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaf. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Stir in the chicken, and simmer 2-3 hours. Skim foam that floats to the top during the last hour.

 

 

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People of Louisiana – Business (November 2020)

 

MICHELLE EZELL

Owner,

TSUNAMI SUSHI

MICHELLE EZELL Lafayette Woman Selected to James Beard Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program

Congratulations to Michelle Ezell, owner of the Tsunami Sushi restaurants in Louisiana who was selected as one of 20 women from across the United States to participate in the James Beard Foundation’s Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program. The year-long training and educational program developed, in partnership with Babson College, is offered online this year to its fellows. Ezell was selected from 120 applications by the Women’s Leadership Advisory Committee. She joins a class of chefs, owners, experts and funders focused on increasing the number of women-owned businesses.

You can find more information about the Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program on the James Beard website: https://www.jamesbeard.org/leadership The site states, “The Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (WEL) program is an advanced educational, training, and networking program for proven business owners in all areas of the hospitality industry. The program, created in partnership with Babson College Executive Leadership Department, includes sessions on building your brand, training in negotiations, securing financing for your business, and more.”

Michelle Ezell was featured in the August, 2019 Loving Louisiana Blog. You can see that post here:
https://louisianafirstfoundation.com/people-of-louisiana-business-august2019/ 

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People of Louisiana – Military (November 2020)

 

JILL EAVES

Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs

JILL EAVES Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs

Jill Eaves knows what service means. For starters, she served our country in the U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan in aircraft structural maintenance. After marrying her husband, whom she met in the Air Force, and later starting a family, she signed up to serve as a navigator in LaVetCorps, a program yielded by a partnership between the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and AmeriCorps. Now, Jill serves as the point of contact at LSU Shreveport’s Veterans Resources Center for the nearly 500 student veterans and their family members who attend the university.

Like LSU Shreveport, 29 other public and private college and university campuses across Louisiana have student veteran centers. These centers are staffed by individuals who are committed to helping more than 8,000 student veterans successfully transition home from active military service to complete their college goals, and to live here in Louisiana and become leaders in their home towns. The campus centers are a place for veterans to study together, interact with other veterans and receive help with veterans’ benefits programs.

Aside from her outreach efforts with veterans, Jill has spearheaded some amazing projects including providing training and support to college faculty and staff. The Green Zone training, as she calls it, increases awareness of student veterans’ needs and veteran culture in efforts to help LSU Shreveport’s student veterans succeed and ultimately graduate.

In addition, Jill organized numerous community service projects benefitting both on and off campus veterans and makes regular connections with the university’s career center and local employers to help veterans seeking employment.

If you, or someone you know, would like to serve Louisiana’s student veterans, please email nikki.clark@la.gov or call 225.219.5518. An application is available here.

For more information about LDVA, visit vetaffairs.la.gov, email veteran@la.gov, call 225.219.5000 or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

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People of Louisiana – Schools (November 2020)

 

KATE YOUNGBLOOD

Orleans Parish

Benjamin Franklin High School

English Language Arts Teacher

2021 Louisiana High School State Teacher of the Year

 

Finding Mentors Wherever You Go

 

 

 

 

 

 

KATE YOUNGBLOOD

Orleans Parish
Benjamin Franklin High School
English Language Arts Teacher
 2021 Louisiana High School State Teacher of the Year

Finding Mentors Wherever You Go

It was January 2013. It was raining and cold. My car had broken down, and I had driven a roommate’s car to Central High School — more frazzled and harried than I ever planned to be on this momentous day. It was my first day of student teaching. My first official day as a teacher in a classroom. As I walked in, Laci Lemoine’s classroom overflowed with a cool energy; it was funky and colorful and full. On her walls, she had a quote from Don Draper: “You’re good. Get better.” I copied the quote down eagerly as I settled into my desk (my very own teacher desk!) and got ready for a day of observing and learning names.

Laci, like her classroom, was cool. She connected with her students without pandering to them — she was completely herself. She pushed me in ways I didn’t expect, scripting my lessons, scrutinizing the types of questions I asked, and surveying the materials I designed. She invited me to stay after school each day to run through my lessons with her so she could help me anticipate problems and learn to adapt. She was honest with me when I made mistakes, but she was also generous with her praise when I learned from them. She made me recognize that I was good but that I could always get better.

After college, I moved to North Carolina, where I began my graduate work in secondary education, this time working with two mentor teachers, Nikel Bussolati and Heather Barto-Wiley. I walked into their classrooms more confident (and less frazzled — my car hadn’t broken down this time), but, because of my time with Laci, I was open to growing even more. Nikel and Heather couldn’t have been more different to an outside observer. Heather’s room was a home; Nikel’s room was a hub. However, both women were the centers of their spaces. Once again, I settled in and observed, absorbing all I could from these remarkable women.

From Nikel, I learned to question the status quo. I learned to join school committees so that I could push back against policies that weren’t equitable. I learned to stand up for my students — to use my voice when they couldn’t. From Heather, I learned to “show my human.” I learned that it’s okay to be vulnerable in front of students, that opening up can build trust. I was continuing to learn how to get better as I prepared to take on my very own classes, and I was ecstatic to accept my first official job for the next year at the same school as Nikel and Heather. I felt safe and secure and continued to feel supported by these phenomenal women as I moved into year one. I was on my own, but I was not alone.

After a year of teaching in North Carolina, I was offered a new job at Ben Franklin High School, my alma mater attractively located just down the road from my parents and sister,  which offered me the opportunity to serve my home community. Moving back to New Orleans, I first felt unmoored. What was I going to do in a school without my mentors down the hall or in the faculty lounge during lunch?

Thankfully, this fear quickly evaporated as I learned that the best educators are always mentors, regardless of physical proximity. So while I wasn’t Laci’s or Nikel’s or Heather’s student teacher anymore, I still could lean on them when I needed support. (Which was often… especially in the first two years.)

I also found new mentors at my own job. I learn every day from other teachers who are willing to share their ideas, their spaces, and their feedback with me. I find mentors whenever and wherever I’m looking in my school:  I learn to be more flexible with myself and my students from Amanda Morehouse; I learn to craft careful questions from India Mack; I learn to keep having fun from Jay Weisman. Amanda, India, and Jay are three of many, many coworkers at Ben Franklin who continue to push me to grow. While none of them are my official mentors, and while I’ve outgrown the requirement of having a mentor teacher approve my lessons, I’ve never outgrown the desire to learn from other amazing educators.

Now, as we transition into this year of virtual and hybrid learning, I feel like a first-year teacher all over again. I need mentorship constantly, but the process has become more recursive; I give back as much feedback as I absorb from my colleagues — present and past. Supporting other teachers has become a way for me to reflect on my own practices.

 So, find your mentors in your spaces and learn from them. As a more experienced teacher, it is my privilege to help mentor new teachers now, welcoming them into my classroom, consoling them after their car breaks down, and reminding them: “You’re good. Get better.”

 

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Kate Youngblood
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Kate Youngblood and Mentor Nikel Bussolati Meet Author Laurie Halse Anderson at NCTE

 

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People of Louisiana – Community (November 2020)

 

KEVIN MCKEE

THE CHAPEL

Kevin McKee Lead Pastor, The Chapel

After Hurricane Laura hit our state, wreaking havoc from Lake Charles to Shreveport, The Chapel, like so many, was eager to help. Remembering our involvement in the relief for Katrina, Gustav, and the flood of 2016, we began to seek the Lord for opportunities where He might lead us. Our Siegen Location Site Pastor, Andrew Bates, went home to help his family in Winn Parish. At the time, the entire parish was without power! While his family had access to helping hands and resources, the parish as a whole needed significant and immediate help, especially the town of Winnfield.  

Having helped in situations like this before, we desired to send help directly to those who could use and disburse resources within the community. Through Andrew’s relationships with two Winnfield pastors, The Chapel connected directly with the area’s needs. Dr. Jerry Pipes of First Baptist Winnfield, a mostly white community, and Pastor Tomell Hamms of New Zion Baptist Church, a primarily black community, were each able to serve Winnfield, yet able to serve more thoroughly when joined together.    

With money set aside for disaster relief, a lesson learned over the years, we were in a position to reach out immediately. We also wanted to let other churches with whom we have a relationship in Baton Rouge know of our plans and invite them to join us. Pastor Donald Hunter of New Beginning Baptist Church and helping his denomination, also contributed financially to the gifts we would send to aid Winn Parish in recovery. Additionally, we asked The Chapel’s congregations to bring food, water, and non-perishable items. Immediately, people began bringing the supplies. Within days, teams drove trailers of supplies along with the financial gifts to these churches and their pastors in Winnfield.   

Two churches in Baton Rouge – one primarily white and one primarily black – were able to help two churches – one primarily white and one primarily black- and their community of Winnfield. At one level, it sounds silly to say it that way because it is simply church communities helping other church communities. People of Louisiana helping people of Louisiana. Yet, it is also important to point out because the gospel of Jesus, when fully embraced by a community, destroys divisions and hostility, allowing love to flow freely and graciously.  

This united service was the part the Lord has allowed us to play in relief for Hurricane Laura. The needs are still significant, and even more so after Hurricane Delta. We are praying for more opportunities. We also pray that the church will work together to bring help and Jesus to places in need.  

With Gratitude,

Kevin McKee

Lead Pastor, The Chapel

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Anti-Human Trafficking – November 2020

OPERATION
RAHAB

RESCUE, ASSESS, HEAL, BREAK FREE

THE HUB MINISTRY

 
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 OPERATION RAHAB

The phone rang to the hotline of an anti-trafficking organization in Louisiana. It was an ER nurse from a local hospital. She reported that a suspected victim of trafficking was present in the ER, and they wanted the organization to come and speak with her. The victim was experiencing withdrawals from a substance and had been through significant trauma. Conversely, there was no medical concern or reason to be admitted into the hospital. The organization gathered the information and planned to meet and speak with the victim. The hospital then delivered the last piece of information – the suspected victim was already being discharged.

No time. There is no time to plan, arrange for safe housing, and allow the victim to make decisions for her future. Without a medical reason to admit, the hospital could no longer keep her.

The phone rang to the hotline of an anti-trafficking organization in Louisiana.  It was a law enforcement officer with an identified victim of sex trafficking at a local motel in the middle of the night. She needed assistance, clothing, shelter, but most of all, safety.  The organization informed the law enforcement officer that there would be nowhere to take the victim at that time of night.

No safe place to go. There is nowhere to place this victim safely away from her pimp, and their only option would be to book her in jail, which is not where a victim of sex trafficking belongs.

A lack of safe, emergency placement, and time to coordinate services that give a victim the dignity of options has long been an issue across our state. Louisiana is blessed to house some incredible anti-trafficking non-profits, Child Advocacy Centers, domestic assault safe homes, and a ton of other resources for some of the most vulnerable in our communities. Our state is home to some incredible warriors fighting for justice for the exploited and victims of sex trafficking on the front line.

If you asked any of them what the greatest need is for suspected or identified victims and the agencies fighting for them, they would probably respond with: immediate emergency placement.

Purchased: Not for Sale in Shreveport, LA came up against the ticking time-bomb of “nowhere to go” countless times before they began to dream a way to solve it.

Enter: Operation Rahab!  (Rescue, Assess, Heal and Break Free)

Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, in partnership with Purchased: Not for Sale, developed a new initiative to address the immediate and emergency needs of suspected or identified victims of human trafficking, both adult and juvenile, in our state. After many years of partnership through training and many active cases together, Purchased and Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport have developed a response to one of the most significant challenges in providing rescue and recovery to previously identified human trafficking victims: emergency placement.

Operation RAHAB allows identified victims to be assessed through the ER using an emergent medical screening and placed confidentially in a patient room under observation or inpatient (if criteria met) status. This process allows hospital staff to manage their health while Purchased: Not for Sale works to manage their well-being. This partnership removes the victim from immediate danger. It gives an expanded timeline for the victim and all necessary agencies to work towards the best end for the victim and gather the essential information for subsequent legal cases. Lastly, this process allows the victim time to de-escalate emotionally, detox from any substances in their system, and begin the process of healing and restoration with a clear mind and in a stable environment.

We know that this is not the only solution to the long list of hurdles that victims face, but we believe it is an incredible response to a great need in our city. Time, choice, and safety; three things that most of us take for granted every day, but three things that, if given, could save a life.

For more information about Purchased: Not for Sale, visit www.thehubministry.com or find The Hub on Facebook and Instagram @thehubministry.

Cassie Hammett

Founder & Executive Director of The Hub: Urban ministries

www.thehubministry.com

 

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Louisiana Fosters – MacDonell United Methodist Children’s Services

 

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Louisiana Fosters

MacDonell United Methodist Children’s Services

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MacDonell United Methodist Children’s Services

For the last 100 years, MacDonell United Methodist Children’s Services has supported children and families in South Louisiana. Our organization has always provided services that fit a need in the community. In the early 1900s, MacDonell served as a school for girls and later a native American school. Our MacDonell campus also served as a boarding school, which transitioned into an orphanage and now serves as a group home for children in the Louisiana foster care system.

Until recently, MacDonell was only providing residential care for children up to the age of 18. Our board, staff, and community members often asked what happens to our residents when they turned 18 years old. Several residents have “aged out” since I have been at MacDonell and some return to the families that previously could not provide for them. While others try to “make it on their own,” I know of at least several former residents living in homeless shelters who would visit our campus, and we would provide them food from time to time.

In 2015, the Louisiana Legislature began working to establish a task force to study outcomes for youth aging out of the foster care system. To continue to help our children, MacDonell started preparing for the possibility of providing services for youth aging out of the foster care system. Our big dream was to provide transitional housing for teens aging out of the foster care system. These young men and women needed additional help to continue on the right path. MacDonell got to work applying for grants to renovate Keener Hall, a former dormitory that is not in use. It was a long three-year process to apply and receive a grant, obtain an architect and a contractor, complete the renovations, obtain the appropriate licensing and a contract with DCFS, and finally open the doors.

Previously, those in foster care were required to move out on their own at age 18. However, on June 6, Governor John Bel Edwards signed legislation extending that to 21 for all youths in foster care at 18. To stay in the home, residents must be 17-20 and either be in school or have a job.

We are trying to create an environment that allows young men and women to experience independent living while also providing a cushion parents would typically give for their children. Our plan is for the home to function as a college dormitory. The building will provide shelter to 10 young adults ages 17-21. Living quarters are two separate spaces. The women’s quarters are downstairs, with three distinct rooms and a communal bathroom. The second floor is all men’s quarters, with seven rooms and one communal bathroom. Each room comes with a bed, desk, microwave, and small refrigerator provided for the residents and their food to prepare in a communal kitchen.

When a resident needs groceries, the staff will go shopping with them and assist with budgeting. The staff will also help pick out the ingredients and assist them with food preparation. We do all this to guide the residents into becoming more self-sufficient and ease their transition into independent living.

Historical Context

  • In 2013, funding for the Young Adult Program was completely cut.
  • In 2015, a resolution was passed during the Louisiana Legislative session to establish a task force to study outcomes for youth aging out of the foster care system.

2018 PROGRAM

Reached age 18 while in foster care on or after June 1, 2018; and not yet reached age 21; enrolled in high school or an equivalency program.

ELIGIBILITY FOR EXTENDED FOSTER CARE

Eligibility ends at 21 or graduation, whichever occurs first.

  • In 2018, a resolution was passed during the Louisiana Legislative session to establish a task force to study the feasibility of extending the age of foster care to 21.
  • Louisiana was awarded $3 million over three years to expand effective services for transition-age foster youth.

2019 EXPANDED PROGRAM

Reach age 18 while in foster care, and not yet reached age 21, and meet at least one of the following criteria: Enrolled in a post-secondary vocational or educational program; enrolled in a program or activity designed to promote or remove barriers to employment; employed at least 80 hours

per month; OR have a medical condition that renders the young adult incapable of engaging in any of these activities.

Following benefits for youth:

  • Gives youth more time to mature and learn from their mistakes.
  • Gives youth more support during the transition to adulthood.
  • Prevents foster youth from becoming homeless.
  • Keeps young adults connected to caretakers who know them.
  • Gives youth a better chance of completing high school or HiSet diplomas/certificates.
  • Gives caretakers more opportunities to find adequate living arrangements for young adults in transition.
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Visit the Louisiana Fosters Website

 

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Teach MAM – Grants to Schools in Areas Affected by Hurricanes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teach MAM

 

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

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TEACH MAM Grants to Schools in Areas Affected by Hurricanes

The Louisiana First Foundation is excited to announce a special grant program for MAM program schools in the areas affected by Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Please click the link below to apply for a grant up to $1,000.00 to replace lost Music, Art and/or Movement collateral. Grantees will be contacted by email by January 31, 2021. Look for the announcement of our grant recipients in a future edition of the “Loving Louisiana” blog.

https://louisianafirstfoundation.com/teach-mam-micro-grant-application/ 

 

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