On behalf of WPCHS, Vice-President Gloria Kates and Executive Director Rusty Fornea present a Certificate of Leadership to Leslie Faulkner.

Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services (WPCHS) held its monthly meeting on May 27, 2025 at the ADAPT Office.  Dr. Leslie Faulkner, Community Outreach Specialist with the Drug Enforcement Agency was the guest speaker. Dr. Faulkner provided updates and insights on several substance use concerns impacting the community. She emphasized the ongoing dangers of substance misuse, particularly fentanyl and methamphetamine, which continue to impact rural areas. Despite a slight decrease in the number of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, the risk to individuals remains high. Dr. Faulkner also warned of the emerging threat of xylazine, an animal tranquilizer now found in illicit drugs. She highlighted the importance of education, accountability in medication sourcing, and reducing stigma surrounding addiction. Dr. Faulkner concluded by encouraging community members to continue educating others, emphasizing that their efforts are critical in the collective fight against substance misuse.

On behalf of WPCHS, President Emma Ross present a Certificate of Leadership to Clay Shook.

Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services (WPCHS) held its monthly meeting on April 22, 2025 at the ADAPT Office.  Clay Shook with the Bogalusa Mission was the guest speaker. Shook shared the impactful work the nonprofit is doing to address addiction and community needs throughout Washington Parish. Bogalusa Mission began with a simple neighborhood outreach effort and has grown into a community-driven organization providing food, clothing, recovery support, and spiritual encouragement. Shook emphasized the importance of building personal relationships with those affected by addiction and poverty, sharing that his team actively seeks out individuals in need to offer food, prayer, and support. He highlighted their collaboration with local churches, the Bogalusa Help Center, and medical professionals to expand services, including faith-based recovery meetings held at their new facility in the former Terrace Elementary School. Shook also discussed the importance of Narcan distribution to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, and the need to show consistent compassion to those struggling. He invited coalition members to join their outreach efforts and underscored the value of presence, service, and community unity in combating addiction.

On behalf of WPCHS, President Emma Ross present a Certificate of Leadership to Rusty Fornea and Thomas Mitchell.

Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services (WPCHS) held its monthly meeting on March 25, 2025 at the ADAPT Office.  Rusty Fornea, Executive Director of Washington Parish Sexual Assault Center, and Thomas Mitchell, Executive Director of Hope House, were the guest speakers. Mitchell discussed Hope House’s mission to end the cycle of child abuse in the community. Hope House provides a path to justice and recovery for child victims through forensic interviews conducted in a neutral, child-friendly setting. These interviews help collect objective evidence and support legal proceedings.  Additional services include trauma-focused therapy by licensed clinicians, family advocacy, and child abuse prevention education.

Fornea announced that April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and thanked Hope House for their work.  He touched on the background of the Washington Parish Sexual Assault Center, which was founded in 1990 by Charlette Fornea and now services Washington, Tangipahoa, and St. Helena Parishes, offering free survivor-centered services. These include a 24/7 crisis hotline, hospital and judicial accompaniment, advocacy, trauma-informed counseling, support groups, and prevention education such as Safe Dates and Coaching Boys into Men. Its mission is to unite the community in addressing root causes of sexual assault and related issues through prevention, intervention, and ongoing support. 

On behalf of WPCHS, Executive Director Rusty Fornea and President Emma Ross present a Certificate of Leadership to Taffy Morrison.

Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services (WPCHS) held its monthly meeting on February 25, 2025 at the ADAPT Office.  The guest speaker Taffy Morrison, Resource Development and Analyst Specialist for Navigators for a Healthy Louisiana and Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center.  Mrs. Morrison explained that Navigators for a Healthy Louisiana assists individuals with applying for health insurance, understanding how to use their coverage, locating providers, and accessing preventive health services.  She also discussed Youth Programs offered through Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center, which expose middle and high school students to healthcare career opportunities and provide healthcare professional students with short-term rural health rotations.

On behalf of WPCHS, Executive Director Rusty Fornea and President Emma Ross present a Certificate of Leadership to Sheriff Jason Smith.

 The Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services (WPCHS) held its monthly meeting on January 28, 2025, at the ADAPT Office. Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith was the guest speaker. Sheriff Smith provided the coalition with updates on departmental services, and ongoing initiatives. He also addressed community challenges related to drug issues and led a Question and Answer session on mental health and substance use concerns within the parish. Additionally, he briefly discussed efforts to secure funding for a new jail facility.

Paula Charles and Wendy Castillo show off the toys for tots that were contributed by WPCHS members.

Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services (WPCHS) held its monthly meeting on December 17, 2024 at the ADAPT Office. An election of officers for the 2025 year was held.  Those elected were:  Emma Ross, President; Gloria Kates, Vice-President; Angela Shuckhart, 2nd Vice-President; Cheryl Bruton, Secretary; Bobbie Kimbrell, Treasurer; Shawn Singletary, Reporter; and Glory Davis, Parliamentarian.  Committee members were also acclaimed and are as follows: Nominating: Rhonda Gunnell (Chair), Rusty Fornea, Dana Walker. Advisory: Rusty Fornea (Chair), Angela Shuckhart, Sheila Seal, Sarah St. Pierre, Mignon Barnes. Public Relations: Cheryl Bruton (Chair), Becky Stogner, Heather Landry, Shawn Singletary, Demetria Dantzler. Assessment/Evaluation: Glory Davis (Chair), Ginger Champagne, Becky Nave, Rosa Moses, Emma Ross. Capacity Membership: Wendy Castillo (Chair), Lauren Franklin, Sunshyne Morris, Veronica Calderone, Kenisha Dickey, Amy Thomas. Advocacy/Policy: Paula Charles (Chair), Gloria Kates, Marty Hennegan, Bobbie Kimbrell, Leslie Holmes. Youth Advisement: Regina Meyerchick (Chair), Kay Kay Warner, Katasha August Robinson, Tiffany Smith, Jana Pounds. Law Enforcement: Jason Smith (Chair), Casey Hildalgo, Justin Brown. Executive Committee: Rusty Fornea (Chair), Emma Ross, Gloria Kates, Angela Shuckhart, Cheryl Bruton, Shawn Singletary, Bobbie Kimbrell, Glory Davis. 

On behalf of WPCHS, Executive Director Rusty Fornea and President Paula Charles present a Certificate of Leadership to Wendy Castillo..

Ms. Wendy Castillo with Nurse-Family Partnership, was the guest speaker for the November meeting. She discussed the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program.  NFP pairs registered nurses with first-time mothers, providing support from pregnancy until the child’s second birthday.  Castillo presented a video titled Better Worlds Start with Great Mothers. Great Mothers Start with Us, highlighting the program’s success in promoting health, parenting skills, and access to resources.  Ms. Castillo stated, “Nurse-Family Partnership has 45 years of research showing significant improvements in the lives of first-time moms and their children.”  The program is free to eligible first-time mothers who are less than 28 weeks pregnant and who qualify for WIC or Medicaid.  The local NFP serves approximately 140 local mothers monthly, delivering vital care, education, and resources.

The Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services (WPCHS) held its monthly meeting on October 22, 2024 at the ADAPT Office. Ms. Rhonda Gunnell, Project Director of Project ADAPT, was the guest speaker. Ms. Gunnell delivered a special presentation in honor of WPCHS being named a finalist for the Blue Ribbon Coalition of the Year.  During her presentation, Ms. Gunnell highlighted the coalition’s impressive growth and impact, noting that since its founding in 2003 with just seven members, WPCHS has grown to include over 200 members representing 40 agencies across Washington Parish.

Photo: Jason Smith, Gloria Kates, Candice Kimbrell, Diane Lewis, and Paula Charles (not pictured) participated in a panel discussion.

Gloria Kates introduced the guest speaker, Paula Charles, an attorney with Southeast Louisiana Legal Services. Charles announced that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and reported that Washington Parish has experienced a 470% increase in protective orders since 2019. She then introduced Sheriff Jason Smith, who spoke about his office's efforts to address domestic violence. Sheriff Smith emphasized that domestic violence encompasses a wide range of abuse, including elder abuse, sibling abuse, and online incidents. He explained the department's focus on preparing deputies to respond to domestic violence situations, highlighting the importance of having deputies consistently patrol the same areas to become familiar with the community and better understand their needs. Charles also introduced Candice Kimbrell, administrative support staff of Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, and Elizabeth Morello, a domestic violence attorney with the same organization. Morello provided an overview of the process for obtaining a temporary protective order and clarified the differences between restraining orders and protective orders. She noted that forms and instructional videos are available for free online and mentioned that in some cases, a civil injunction may be an alternative to a protective order. Diane Lewis, Public Health Emergency Response Coordinator for Region 9, gave a presentation on Emergency Preparedness. She outlined steps for preparing for emergencies and briefly discussed the availability of medical needs shelters.

On behalf of WPCHS, President Paula Charles and Executive Director Rusty Fornea present a Certificate of Leadership to Sophia Robinson.

Paula Charles introduced our guest speaker, Dr. John Wyble, State Representative. Dr. Wyble discussed the importance of prioritizing mental health services, noting that Washington Parish has the necessary resources and organizations to support those in need. He also provided an overview of the various Acts passed during two special legislative sessions. These Acts included redistricting Congressional districts, tightening mandated reporter laws within school systems, establishing procedures for pre-trial drug testing and screenings, and implementing stricter penalties for the marketing and packaging of fentanyl to young people. Additionally, Dr. Wyble elaborated on Act 110, which addresses the issue of opioids by toughening penalties and adding certain versions of fentanyl and other opioids to the controlled substances schedule, thereby increasing penalties for those who use and distribute these drugs.

On behalf of WPCHS, Executive Director Rusty Fornea and President Paula Charles present a Certificate of Leadership to Kenisha Dickey.

 Kenisha Dickey, Outreach Resource Coordinator for VIA LINK, was the guest speaker at the July coalition meeting. VIA LINK serves the state of Louisiana, providing crisis support, connecting people to resources and services, and providing vital data and trend information to ensure policies and programs meet community needs. VIA LINK operates crisis lines manned by specialists who are extensively trained to provide a safe space for individuals who need support. Ms. Dickey provided an overview of the 988 and 211 Crisis Support Lines, the Crisis Teen Textline, and the Louisiana Parentline. She stated, “VIA LINK/PCAL believes that education and training provide primary prevention for child abuse, trauma, and mental health struggles in Louisiana.” VIA LINK is a social work pre-approval agency and offers a variety of training opportunities to the community. If you have any questions, you can visit the website www.vialink.org for more information.

On behalf of WPCHS, President Paula Charles presented a Certificate of Leadership to Lauren Franklin.

Ms. Lauren Franklin, Outreach and Training Coordinator for the Ness Center, was the guest speaker. She discussed the Ness Center’s Pregnant and Postpartum Women’s Residential Treatment Program, which is designed to offer assistance to pregnant and postpartum women facing substance use disorders, including alcohol and opioid use disorders. Ms. Franklin stated that the mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment where women can embark on their path to recovery while ensuring their children receive the care and support they deserve.

On behalf of WPCHS, President Paula Charles and Executive Director Rusty Fornea present a Certificate of Leadership to Dr. Leslie Faulkner.

Paula Charles introduced our guest speaker, Dr. Leslie Faulkner, Community Outreach Specialist with the New Orleans Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Dr. Faulkner highlighted the Drug Enforcement Agency’s “One Pill Can Kill” initiative, focusing on the characteristics and dangers of fentanyl and its profound impact on the community. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid frequently found in counterfeit pills, is a significant factor in the alarming increase in poisoning deaths. Dr. Faulkner discussed fentanyl’s history, its potency, and its status as a critical issue on local, state, and national levels, responsible for over 100,000 deaths annually. She emphasized the risks of counterfeit pills containing unpredictable amounts of fentanyl, asserting, “The only safe medications are those prescribed by licensed and accredited medical professionals.”

On behalf of WPCHS, President Paula Charles and Executive Director Rusty Fornea present a Certificate of Leadership to Dr. Byron Hurst.

Paula Charles introduced our guest speaker, Bogalusa City School Superintendent, Dr. Byron Hurst.  Dr. Hurst provided an overview of goals for Bogalusa City Schools, including, but not limited to, investing in early grades to build math and reading skills that provide a strong foundation for students, increasing ACT scores, and ensuring students have mastered the skills needed to achieve success and graduate on time.  He also discussed programs that have begun, such as embedding interventions in student schedules, professional development for teachers, and ACT prep courses for students. Dr. Hurst reported that a salary study is being conducted on all district salaries to ensure competitive pay with similarly sized school districts and discussed the Facilities Plan to ensure fiscal responsibility for needed building improvements. Dr. Hurst stated that “Safety is a priority in our district.”  He reported on safety measures that have been implemented, such as having a School Resource Officer present at Bogalusa High School daily, adding cameras and extra lighting on the campus, and implementing other new policies. 

On behalf of WPCHS President Paula Charles present a Certificate of Leadership to Rusty Fornea, ADAPT's Executive Director.

.

Paula Charles introduced our guest speaker, Rusty Fornea, Executive Director of Washington Parish Sexual Assault Center, a/k/a ADAPT.  Fornea announced that April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and thanked Hope House for their work. He touched on the background of the Washington Parish Sexual Assault Center, which was founded in 1990 by Charlette Fornea. Its mission being to unite the community by providing resources that address causal factors leading to sexual assault. The Center offers a wide range of services such as counseling services, peer support, school programs, Mental Health First Aid classes, as well as assistance tracking cases through the court system.  Fornea stated that “In its 34 years of existence, the Washington Parish Rape Crisis Center has helped thousands of men and women move from being a victim to a survivor”.

On behalf of WPCHS, Executive Director Rusty Fornea and Vice President Glory Davis present a Certificate of Leadership to Taffy Morrison.

Glory Davis introduced our guest speaker, Taffy Morrison, Navigators for a Healthy Louisiana Statewide Outreach Manager at Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center. Navigators for a Healthy Louisiana provides assistance with applying for health insurance, explains how to utilize health coverage services and locate providers, and how to access preventable health services. Mrs. Morrison discussed recent changes with Medicaid and how it is affecting patients and the community. She shared stories of success of those assisted to demonstrate the type of services provided. Medicaid qualifications were reviewed and the renewal process was discussed.

On behalf of WPCHS, Executive Director Rusty Fornea and President Paula Charles present a Certificate of Leadership to Sophia Robinson.

Paula Charles introduced our guest speaker, Sophia Robinson, Financial Capability Specialist at United Way SELA Prosperity Center, Bogalusa Campus. Ms. Robinson stated that United Way Prosperity Center is a one-stop financial capability center located at 432 Avenue U, Bogalusa. The Center offers financial education, financial coaching, financial counseling, credit counseling, credit building, and many more services. The Center is open from 9:00 - 4:00 Monday through Friday. The Prosperity Center will be hosting a Super Tax Day on February 3, 2024 allowing individuals the opportunity to have their income taxes prepared for free. In addition, they assist with IDA grants for down payments on homes, vehicles, post-secondary education, or to start or expand a small business. Once the individual has saved $1,500, IDA grants will match the funds with an additional $6,000. 

Photo Caption – On behalf of WPCHS, President Glory Davis present a Certificate of Leadership to Rusty Fornea, ADAPT Executive Director.

Rusty Fornea, ADAPT Executive Director, presented an overview of services and programs offered at ADAPT. ADAPT stands for All Deserves Advocacy, Prevention, and Treatment. Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence programs offered at ADAPT include a rape crisis center, 24/7 crisis line, hospital escort services, mental health counseling and more. All sexual assault and domestic violence services are offered free of charge to victims and survivors. ADAPT also offers substance abuse services including drug screening, START (Stages Toward Addiction Recovery Treatment) classes, and SACAY (Substance Abuse Choices And You) classes. Prevention programs are provided free of charge to students in city and parish schools including Life Skills Training, Generation Rx, Kid’s Don’t Gamble, Safe Dates, and Catch My Breath. All programs are evidenced-based or evidenced-informed. The mission of ADAPT is to unite the community in providing resources and implementing prevention strategies and direct services to address the causal factors that lead to violence, substance abuse, and other problem behaviors in Washington Parish.

On behalf of WPCHS, Executive Director Rusty Fornea and President Gloria Davis present a Certificate of Leadership to Jennifer Johnson.

The October program was provided by Jennifer Johnson, Region 9 Early Steps Regional Coordinator. System Point of Entry for Region 9 is Hammond, and the office number is 985/429-1252. Early Steps is also known as Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Children from birth through age three who are experiencing developmental delays in two or more areas – physical, cognitive, social and emotional, adaptive, or communication – are eligible for the program. Early Steps services are provided in the child's natural environment. Referrals are being accepted. The fax machine is currently not working due to issues caused by Hurricane Ida, so the best way to make a referral is to call 504/451-0938.

Photo: On behalf of WPCHS, Executive Director Rusty Fornea and President Glory Davis present Wendy Williams Henley with a Certificate of Leadership. 

The guest speaker was Durand “Rudy” Macklin, Bureau of Minority Health Access with the Louisiana Department of Health. Macxklin is originally from Louisville, Kentucky. Je has a special interest in working with youth. He stated that we need to elevate health and fitness of our youth. Macklin can assist with bringing in programs and funding, but we will need to have volunteers who are willing to get involved and help with implementation. Macklin is working with Councilwoman Gloria Kates and will be coming to Bogalusa to offer expertise and assistance. According to Macklin, everyone must get involved.