Introduction

1. 1 Introduction

2. 2 Thibodaux Region (Region 3) Ascension Assumption Lafourche St. Charles St. James St. John St. Mary Terrebonne

3. 3 Thibodaux Region Parish Ascension Assumption Lafourche St. Charles St. James St. John St. Mary Terrebonne Poverty Rate 14.7% 27.5% 20.5% 14.8% 26.1% 20.3% 30.0% 23.1%

4. 4 Organizers & Regional Team Members Ascension: Laura Crochet; LBC Consultants; Gbenga Bello, Ascension Parish Mgr, OFS Assumption: Bedar Warren, Dir. Assumption DHCD; Kathy Hall, Assumption Parish Mgr. OFS Lafourche: Gail Duet, President Lafourche Prevention Partnership; Sharon Gauthe, Dir. BISCO; Jessica Oliva, LCSW, OPH; Peggy Arceneaux, Early STEPS Coor. OPH St. Charles: Cory Turner, Community Resource Coor. Div. of Probation and Parole DOC, Jean Reeves, St. Charles Parish Mgr. OFS St. James: Diane Braithwaite, President LA Association of Community Action Partnerships; Rick Becnel, St. James Parish Mgr OFS St. John: Dean Torres, Executive Director, St. John United Way ; Rick Becnel, St. John Parish Mgr. OFS St. Mary: Almetra Franklin, CEO St. Mary - Vermilion Community Action Agency; Martha Longman, St. Mary Parish Mgr. OFS Terrebonne: Mark Delaune, Supr. Div. of Probation and Parole DOC: Laura Crochet LBC Consultants; Bonnie Rehage, Asst. Parish Mgr. Terrebonne Parish OFS

5. 5 Diane Braithwaite, President- LA Association of Community Action Partnerships Dean Torres, Executive Director- St. John United Way Jessica Oliva, LCSW- OPH Anne Perry- DOE Robert Ledet, Regional Manager Thibodaux Region OFS Mark Delaune, Supervisor Division Of Probation and Parole DOC Paula Kane, Community Specialist Thibodaux Region OFS Organizers & Regional Team Members

6. 6 Priority Community Conversation Issue Areas Enhancing Education Enhancing Employment and Economic Development Enhancing Community Assets

7. 7 Education Issues & Solutions Issues Excessive dropout rates Awareness of varied career options at the high school level and timely access to support services or programs Life skills training for school-aged and adult populations Solutions Develop intervention teams for at risk students and families consisting of all appropriate community partners Develop collaborations between private, public enterprises and education Coordinate efforts to increase opportunities for family and adult literacy & life skills programs

8. 8 Employment/Economic Development Issues and Solutions Issues Education & Economic coordination and collaboration One-stop shops for multiple community programs Community partnerships between public and private enterprises Solutions Increase economic development efforts to bring in higher wage paying jobs to increase family self sufficiency Enhance and expand community resources to conduct outreach programs to increase knowledge of transitional skills to move from minimum wage to self-sufficiency Improve communication between agencies (private and public sector)

9. 9 Community Assets Issues and Solutions Issues Public awareness and access to community resources including health care Community public transportation systems Increased participation of all stakeholders Solutions Develop community resource guides for families Conduct resource map to address quality of life issues Address perceived barriers to participation in community resources through education and outreach

10. 10 Potential Challenges to Implementation Lack of funding Lack of public awareness of resources Lack of public transportation Lack of participation by all stakeholders Limited education levels in communities Lack of buy-in by all stakeholders Lack of local leadership in private, public and education sectors

11. 11 Opportunities to Leverage Existing Resources Increase participation by community members, faith-based, public and private enterprises in existing coalitions, partnerships, partnerships Continue Community Conversations Publication of community resources guide for distribution to all stakeholders and general public Analyze existing funding streams between agencies, private and public sectors to assess opportunities for expansion and increased coordination of resources

12. 12 S.T.O.P. Action Steps(Solutions to Overcome Poverty) Enhance and publicize existing partnerships, collaborations and coalitions to increase community knowledge of available resources Ensure service providers create welcoming environments for all stakeholders. Continue Community Conversations to establish goals and objectives for community action in designing and monitoring solutions to overcome poverty Use community resources (schools, colleges, etc) to conduct transitional life skills programs for families