Rapides Foundation

THE MISSION OF THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION (TRF) IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH STATUS OF CENTRAL LOUISIANA. TRF IS A MEMBER OF RAPIDES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM LLC, WHICH OWNS AND OPERATES RAPIDES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, A 380-BED HOSPITAL IN ALEXANDRIA. ADDITIONALLY, TRF PROVIDES FUNDING FOR PROJECTS WHICH EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING PHILANTHROPIC OBJECTIVES: HEALTHY PEOPLE - TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND PROMOTE HEALTHY BEHAVIORS. EDUCATION - TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT AS THE PRIMARY PATH TO IMPROVED ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND HEALTH STATUS. HEALTHY COMMUNITIES - TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND FAMILY INCOME; AND ENHANCE CIVIC AND COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE EFFECTIVE LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONS.

ACUTE-CARE HOSPITAL SERVICES THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION IS A MEMBER OF RAPIDES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM LLC (RHS), WHICH OWNS AND OPERATES RAPIDES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (RRMC), A 380-BED HOSPITAL IN ALEXANDRIA, LA. AS AN OWNER OF RHS, TRF SEEKS TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF PATIENT CARE, SUPPORT HEALTHCARE ACCESS FOR THE UNINSURED/UNDERSERVED POPULATION, AND MEET THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT STANDARDS UNDER 501(C)(3) AND 501(R) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CODE. DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021, RRMC ADMITTED 14,879 PATIENTS, CARED FOR 61,585 PATIENTS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM, AND FACILITATED 10,975 SURGERIES. RAPIDES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM PROVIDED $3.9 MILLION IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT DURING 2021 TO THE LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY FAMILY PRACTICE RESIDENCY PROGRAM NEAR ITS CAMPUS. IN 2021 THE PROGRAM GRADUATED 6 PHYSICIANS AND ACCEPTED 6 NEW RESIDENTS INTO ITS THREE-YEAR PROGRAM. SINCE ITS BEGINNING IN 1997, THE PROGRAM HAS GRADUATED 135 PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS, SUPPORTING ITS MISSION TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OF PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS IN THE REGION. CENTRAL LOUISIANA IS DESIGNATED A PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SHORTAGE AREA (HPSA). THE HOSPITAL ALSO SUPPORTS RESIDENTS FROM TULANE UNIVERSITY IN THE AREA OF GYNECOLOGY AND OPHTHALMOLOGY AND FROM LSU IN THE AREA OF ORAL MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY.IN LATE 2013, AS PART OF THE LOUISIANA GOVERNOR'S PLANS TO PRIVATIZE THE STATE'S SYSTEM OF CHARITY HOSPITALS, REPRESENTATIVES OF RAPIDES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION AND THE OTHER LARGE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL IN THE REGION REACHED AGREEMENT TO CLOSE THE REGION'S CHARITY HOSPITAL AND MOVE SERVICES TO THE TWO EXISTING HOSPITALS. ACCORDINGLY, THE TWO HOSPITALS AGREED TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY AND INPATIENT SERVICES AS WELL AS ESTABLISH NEW URGENT, PRIMARY AND SPECIALTY CARE CLINICS IN THE COMMUNITY FOR INDIGENT PATIENTS UNDER A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE. IN 2021 RAPIDES OPERATED THREE HP LONG CLINIC LOCATIONS THAT PROVIDED URGENT, PRIMARY AND SPECIALTY CARE TO MEDICAID, MEDICARE AND UNINSURED PATIENTS. DURING THE YEAR 46,787 PATIENTS RECEIVED SERVICES THAT INCLUDED PRIMARY CARE, GENERAL SURGERY, CARDIOLOGY, ORTHOPEDICS, GYNECOLOGY, OPHTHALMOLOGY, ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY, DENTAL CARE AND URGENT CARE. ADDITIONALLY, THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION'S CENLA MEDICATION ACCESS PROGRAM (CMAP) PROVIDED 13,565 NO-COST MEDICATIONS TO THESE PATIENTS (AT A WHOLESALE VALUE OF $7.1 MILLION) THROUGH ITS PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND CENTRAL FILL PHARMACY. RAPIDES PROVIDED AN ADDITIONAL 1,191 PRESCRIPTIONS TO PATIENTS FOR $4 EACH OR LESS THROUGH A PRESCRIPTION CARD PROGRAM. THESE MEDICATIONS WOULD HAVE COST PATIENTS AN AVERAGE $22 EACH.IN 2021, RRMC RECEIVED THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION/AMERICAN STROKE ASSOCIATION'S GET WITH THE GUIDELINES-STROKE GOLD PLUS QUALITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR IT HAS RECEIVED THIS AWARD. THE AWARD RECOGNIZES THE HOSPITAL'S COMMITMENT TO ENSURING STROKE PATIENTS RECEIVE THE MOST APPROPRIATE TREATMENT ACCORDING TO NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED GUIDELINES BASED ON THE LATEST SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE. RRMC IS VERIFIED AS A LEVEL II TRAUMA CENTER BY THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS. A LEVEL II TRAUMA CENTER PROVIDES THE SECOND HIGHEST LEVEL OF SURGICAL CARE TO TRAUMA PATIENTS. THE HOSPITAL IS ALSO CERTIFIED AS A PRIMARY STROKE CENTER AND AN ACCREDITED CHEST PAIN CENTER FROM THE JOINT COMMISSION. RRMC IS THE HOME TO A COMPLETE $2.5 MILLION BRAINLAB NEUROSURGICAL SUITE. RRMC IS ONE OF FEWER THAN 100 HOSPITALS IN THE COUNTRY AND THE ONLY ONE IN LOUISIANA TO HAVE THIS MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED NEUROLOGICAL SUITE. THE BRAINLAB TOOLS ALLOW HIGHLY SPECIALIZED NEUROSURGICAL PROCEDURES TO BE PERFORMED IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA. RAPIDES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IN 2020 HOLDS THE FOLLOWING ACCREDITATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS THAT DEMONSTRATE ITS COMMITMENT TO A HIGHER STANDARD OF CARE: ADVANCED CERTIFICATION IN STROKE (PRIMARY STROKE CENTER), COMMISSION ON CANCER ACCREDITATION, JOINT COMMISSION ON NATIONAL QUALITY APPROVAL GOLD SEAL, CERTIFIED CARDIAC REHABILITATION PROGRAM, CHEST PAIN CENTER CERTIFICATION, COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY ACCREDITATION GOLD SEAL, NUCLEAR MEDICINE GOLD SEAL ACCREDITATION, COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY GOLD SEAL ACCREDITATION, MRI GOLD SEAL ACCREDITATION, MAMMOGRAPHY GOLD SEAL ACCREDITATION, VASCULAR TESTING ACCREDITATION, AND CAP LABORATORY ACCREDITATION.

HEALTHY PEOPLE TRF PROVIDED CHRONIC CARE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THEM THROUGH A $571,090 GRANT IN 2021 TO ITS SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION, CENLA MEDICATION ACCESS PROGRAM (CMAP). CMAP'S PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (PAP) LOCATES CMAP STAFF NEAR PHYSICIAN OFFICES THROUGHOUT CMAP'S PRIMARY NINE-PARISH SERVICE AREA. THESE PAP SPECIALISTS COMPLETE APPLICATIONS FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD THEIR MEDICATION TO RECEIVE FREE CHRONIC CARE MEDICATIONS THROUGH DRUG MANUFACTURERS' PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. PATIENTS ALSO RECEIVE MEDICATIONS AND DIABETIC SUPPLIES THROUGH CMAP'S CENTRAL FILL PHARMACY, WHICH AS OF END OF 2021 HAD CONTRACTS TO WORK WITH AND PROVIDE PHARMACEUTICALS FROM THIRTEEN MAJOR COMPANIES. ADDITIONALLY, RAPIDES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (RRMC) CONTRACTS WITH CMAP TO PROVIDE OUTPATIENT PHARMACY SERVICES TO THE PATIENTS OF OUTPATIENT CLINICS SERVING THE INDIGENT. DURING 2021, CMAP PROVIDED 13,565 FREE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS TO PATIENTS, REPRESENTING A WHOLESALE COST SAVINGS OF $7.1 MILLION. CMAP EXTRA, A PRESCRIPTION-SAVINGS PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP LOWER FAMILIES' MEDICATION COSTS, IS AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF AGE OR INCOME. DURING 2021, 1,191PRESCRIPTIONS WERE FILLED, FOR A TOTAL RETAIL SAVINGS OF $26,397. THESE MEDICATIONS WOULD HAVE COST PATIENTS AN AVERAGE $22 EACH. IN 2021, IN SUPPORT OF ITS SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION'S (THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION) HEALTHCARE ACCESS INITIATIVE, CMAP'S CANCER SCREENING PROJECT PROVIDED FREE MAMMOGRAMS, PAP SMEARS, PELVIC EXAMS AND COLORECTAL CANCER TESTS TO 366 UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED PATIENTS WHO COULDN'T AFFORD THESE CRITICAL SCREENINGS. THESE TESTS ARE BROUGHT TO RURAL AREAS THROUGH A CANCER SCREENING VAN. THE VAN IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION, CMAP, THE FEIST-WEILLER CANCER CENTER AT LSU HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER -- SHREVEPORT AND THE LSU FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY IN ALEXANDRIA. THROUGH THE MOBILE UNIT PATIENTS RECEIVED 55 CERVICAL SCREENINGSAND 412 MAMMOGRAMS. ALSO, APPROXIMATELY 64 WOMEN AND MEN RECEIVED TAKE-HOME COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING TESTS. CMAP ALSO ADMINISTERS THE COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVISOR (CHA) PROJECT, A COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM DESIGNED TO TRAIN COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS TO HELP EDUCATE THEIR PEERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CANCER SCREENINGS. ONCE TRAINED BY THE CANCER SCREENING PROJECT COORDINATOR, THESE VOLUNTEERS WILL PROVIDE EDUCATION, OUTREACH AND INFORMATION TO MEN AND WOMEN THROUGHOUT CENTRAL LOUISIANA. THE GOAL IS TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO PRACTICE EARLY DETECTION OF COLON, BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER WHILE IT IS IN THE MOST TREATABLE STAGES. DESPITE COVID-RELATED LIMITATIONS, THE CHA PROJECT REACHED 853 PEOPLE IN 2021. THE CMAP PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SPECIALISTS BRING TOBACCO PREVENTION AND CONTROL RESOURCES INTO THE SAME PHYSICIAN OFFICES THEY SUPPORT FOR MEDICATION ACCESS. BY PROVIDING TRAINING AND MATERIALS TO PHYSICIANS AND THEIR STAFF ABOUT SMOKING CESSATION REFERRAL RESOURCES, THE SPECIALISTS MAKE IT EASY FOR DOCTORS TO ENCOURAGE THEIR PATIENTS TO STOP SMOKING. CMAP PARTNERED WITH THE SMOKING CESSATION TRUST TO PROVIDE SMOKING CESSATION MEDICATIONS AND COUNSELING TO INDIVIDUALS IN ITS SERVICE AREA. DURING 2021, 30 INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED IN COUNSELING. TRF ALSO CONTINUED TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES FUNDS TO NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY, LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY OF ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY AND THE CENTRAL LOUISIANA TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE NURSING PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT NURSING INSTRUCTION. TRF FUNDED A $439,000 GRANT IN 2021 TO CMAP'S HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES DEMONSTRATION AND EDUCATION ON PROPER NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR GOOD HEALTH AND IS DESIGNED TO FIGHT OBESITY IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA. THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM, THROUGH PHYSICIAN REFERRAL, COMMUNITY TOOLS, AND WORKPLACE EDUCATION, IS TO PROVIDE CENTRAL LOUISIANA RESIDENTS WITH RESOURCES TO LEAD HEALTHY LIFESTYLES. THIS PROGRAM IS COORDINATED BY A REGISTERED AND LICENSED DIETITIAN AND EMPLOYS AN EXERCISE SPECIALIST. CLIENTS RECEIVE ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATION WITH THE DIETITIAN AND EXERCISE SPECIALIST FOR PERSONALIZED MEAL PLANNING AND EXERCISE. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO WORK WITH CLIENTS FOR AT LEAST 3 TO 6 MONTHS, TRACKING THEIR PROGRESS WITH EATING HABITS, BEHAVIOR CHANGES, WEIGHT AND INCHES LOST, AND EDUCATING CLIENTS ON PROPER NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. IN 2021, 332 PATIENTS ENROLLED IN THE CMAP HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PROGRAM. TRF PARTNERED WITH 104 CENTRAL LOUISIANA K-12 SCHOOLS IN SEVEN PARISHES THROUGH $322,000 IN HEALTHY BEHAVIORS GRANTS. IN THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR, 46,264 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES THAT POSITIVELY IMPACT STUDENTS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL IN THE AREAS OF TOBACCO PREVENTION AND CONTROL, SUBSTANCE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE PREVENTION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION. WHILE THE PROJECTS VARIED, SCHOOLS USED THE FUNDS FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND CURRICULA; FOR TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR TAKE DOWN TOBACCO ACTIVITIES, NATIONAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL FACTS WEEK AND LIVING HEALTHY CLUBS; AND FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CERTIFICATION FOR NUTRITION STAFF. IN OCTOBER 2021, APPROXIMATELY 517 STUDENTS FROM EIGHT CENTRAL LOUISIANA SCHOOL DISTRICTS PARTICIPATED IN THE YOUTH SUMMIT ON HEALTHY BEHAVIORS. THE EVENT WAS HELD VIRTUALLY AND BROKEN INTO SIX DIFFERENT SESSIONS, THIS ALLOWED STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE VIA ZOOM. THE ANNUAL EVENT PROVIDES STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN HOW TO BECOME ADVOCATES FOR HEALTHY CHOICES AND POLICY CHANGE IN THEIR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES. IN ADDITION TO SCHOOL DISTRICT GRANTS, TRF CONTINUED TO OVERSEE HEALTHY BEHAVIORS PROGRAM GRANTS THAT WERE AWARDED TO COMMUNITIES FOR PROJECTS THAT ADDRESS HEALTHY BEHAVIORS. TRF HAS INVESTED OVER $3.9 MILLION IN 32 GRANTS SINCE 2019. THE GRANTS FUNDED IMPROVED OUTDOOR COMMUNITY SPACES, FITNESS PROGRAMS, FARMERS MARKETS, HEALTHY FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY GARDENS, AND ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION. WITH RAPIDES FOUNDATION SUPPORT, CMAP PARTNERED WITH THE LOUISIANA SMOKING CESSATION TRUST TO PROVIDE TOBACCO CESSATION COUNSELING TO INDIVIDUALS IN ITS SERVICE AREA. SINCE THE PARTNERSHIP BEGAN IN 2014, 1,342 AREA RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM, WHO HAVE BEEN OFFERED FREE CESSATION COUNSELING AND MEDICINE TO HELP THEM QUIT. THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION'S GOALS FOR HEALTHY PEOPLE ARE: 10-YEAR IMPACTS (2012-2023): REDUCE ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY FROM 929.7 PER 100,000 TO 757.2. (19% IMPROVEMENT) REDUCE HEART DISEASE MORTALITY RATES FROM 246.6 PER 100,000 TO 158.9. (36% IMPROVEMENT) REDUCE CANCER MORTALITY RATES FROM 203.6 PER 100,000 TO 169.0. (17% IMPROVEMENT) REDUCE DIABETES MORTALITY RATES FROM 24.0 PER 100,000 TO 20.5. (15% IMPROVEMENT) DECREASE SMOKING RATES IN YOUTH FROM 23.9% IN 2013 TO 17%. (29% IMPROVEMENT) DECREASE SMOKING RATES IN ADULTS FROM 23.0% IN 2013 TO 20%. (13% IMPROVEMENT) DECREASE ALCOHOL USE IN YOUTH FROM 40.8% IN 2013 TO 36.7%. (10% IMPROVEMENT) DECREASE DRUG-INDUCED DEATHS IN ADULTS FROM 12.3 TO 11.3 PER 100,000 BY 2023. (8% IMPROVEMENT) DECREASE PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN WITH A SMOKER FROM 17% IN 2013 TO 15%. (12% IMPROVEMENT) DECREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF ADULTS OVERWEIGHT FROM 73% IN 2013 TO 67%. (8% IMPROVEMENT) DECREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF ADOLESCENTS (9-12 GRADERS) OVERWEIGHT FROM 34.5% IN 2013 TO 31%. (10% IMPROVEMENT)

EDUCATION -- DURING 2021 THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION PROVIDED $1.5 MILLION IN GRANTS TO THE NINE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN TRF'S SERVICE AREA. THE GRANTS WERE USED FOR TARGETED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COACHING AND MENTORING OF TEACHERS; LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR ADMINISTRATORS; AND FUNDING TO ALLOW THE DISTRICTS TO PARTICIPATE IN INSTITUTES PROVIDED BY THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION. THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION'S WORK IN COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS ENCOMPASSES THREE AREAS THE CENLA WORK READY NETWORK, COLLEGE AND CAREER COACHING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, AND JUMP START PROGRAMS TO EXPOSE CENLA EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS TO CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CENTRAL LOUISIANA REGION. THE CENLA WORK READY NETWORK IS A SYSTEM DESIGNED TO LINK EDUCATION WITH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS AND ALIGN THEM WITH REGIONAL ECONOMIC NEEDS. DURING 2021, ALL PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE FOUNDATION'S SERVICE AREA, CENTRAL LOUISIANA TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUSES, AND REGIONAL BUSINESS AND CAREER SOLUTIONS CENTERS ACCESSED ACT'S WORKKEYS CURRICULUM, A CAREER TRAINING COURSE THAT PREPARES STUDENTS FOR CERTIFICATION WITH WORKKEYS ASSESSMENTS. WORKKEYS IS A JOB SKILLS ASSESSMENT SYSTEM MEASURING REAL WORLD SKILLS THAT EMPLOYERS BELIEVE ARE CRITICAL TO JOB SUCCESS. WORKKEYS ASSESSES THREE CORE AREAS: APPLIED MATHEMATICS; WORKPLACE DOCUMENTS; AND GRAPHIC LITERACY; WHICH DETERMINES A STUDENT'S NATIONAL CAREER READINESS CERTIFICATE (NCRC) LEVEL, AN OBJECTIVE DOCUMENTATION OF AN EMPLOYEE'S SKILLS THAT CAN BE ACCEPTED NATIONWIDE. DURING THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR, 4,591 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN ACT'S WORKKEYS CURRICULUM TRAINING, AND 4,770 NATIONAL CAREER READINESS CERTIFICATES WERE EARNED BY CENLA RESIDENTS. IN 2021, THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION CONTINUED ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH LOUISIANA CENTRAL (FORMERLY THE CENTRAL LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPTMENT ALLIANCE) TO ASSIST EMPLOYERS IN UTILIZING WORKKEYS AND NCRC IN THEIR HIRING PROCESSES. ALL NINE PARISHES IN THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION SERVICE AREA ARE ACT CERTIFIED WORK READY COMMUNITIES: ALLEN, AVOYELLES, CATAHOULA, GRANT, LASALLE, NATCHITOCHES, RAPIDES, VERNON AND WINN. DURING THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR, THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION PARTNERED WITH CAREER COMPASS OF LA TO WORK WITH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE COLLEGE AND CAREER COACHING SERVICES IN ALL HIGH SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN THE SERVICE REGION. A TOTAL OF 7,621 STUDENTS WERE SEEN IN GRADES 8 THROUGH 12 BY COLLEGE AND CAREER COACHES. CAREER SEMINARS WERE ATTENDED BY ANOTHER 22,568 STUDENTS IN GRADES 6 THROUGH 12. 92% OF THE SENIORS COUNSELED APPLIED TO A POSTSECONDARY PROGRAM. THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION OFFERS SUMMER EXTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS TO LEARN HOW TO TRANSLATE THE SKILLS NEEDED IN TODAY'S WORKFORCE INTO THEIR CLASSROOMS. THE WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE EXCHANGE (WEE) CAMP GIVES TEACHERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES TO LEARN HOW CLASSROOM CONTENT AND LEARNING STRATEGIES ARE APPLIED IN THE WORKPLACE. DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, WEE CAMP FOR SUMMER 2021 WAS HELD VIRTUALLY. A TOTAL OF 26 TEACHERS PARTICIPATED IN THE CAMP AND COMPLETED A SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY ON THE FINAL DAY THAT INCLUDED A PRESENTATION OF A CAREER LESSON PLAN. ORDINARILY, ORCHARD HOLDS ITS ANNUAL STUDENTS EXPLORING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES EXPO (SECO) IN LATE FALL OF EACH YEAR. SECO IS A TWO-DAY EVENT THAT INTRODUCES 10TH GRADERS TO CAREER POSSIBILITIES. DUE TO COVID-19, SECO 2021 WAS CANCELLED. THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION PROVIDED MATCHING FUNDS FOR A CARPENTRY COURSE, WHICH IS A COMBINATION OF HANDS-ON AND TEXTBOOK INSTRUCTION AND UTILIZES TEXTBOOKS CERTIFIED AND APPROVED BY THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION AND RESEARCH (NCCER) TO INSTRUCT STUDENTS. CO-SPONSORED BY A LOCAL EMPLOYER, IT IS DESIGNED TO HELP STUDENTS GAIN TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRIAL KNOWLEDGE AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO PURSUE A CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION. THE COURSE WAS OFFERED IN THREE AREA HIGH SCHOOLS, AND 17 NCCER CARPENTRY INDUSTRY BASED CERTIFICATIONS (IBCS) WERE EARNED DURING THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR. THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION PROVIDED MATCHING FUNDS FOR A NCCER WELDING COURSE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A LOCAL EMPLOYER IN 5 AREA HIGH SCHOOLS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES TRAINING IN INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS, PRINT READING, LAYOUT/FABRICATION AND THERMAL CUTTING. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE COURSE ARE REGISTERED INTO THE NCCER DATABASE FOR POTENTIAL EMPLOYMENT IN WELDING. DURING THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR, 43 NCCER WELDING INDUSTRY BASED CERTIFICATIONS (IBCS) WERE EARNED. THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION WAS AWARDED $4,482,635 BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO RECRUIT, TRAIN, SUPPORT AND RETAIN EFFECTIVE MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA MIDDLE SCHOOLS. THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION AND PROJECT PARTNERS COMMITTED IN-KIND MATCHED FUNDING OF NON-FEDERAL FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,801,519 TO IMPLEMENT THE CENTRAL LOUISIANA INSTRUCTIONAL PARTNERSHIP OR CLIP. THIS IS THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION'S FIRST GRANT UNDER THE USDOE'S TEACHER QUALITY PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM.THE GOAL OF THE CENTRAL LOUISIANA INSTRUCTIONAL PARTNERSHIP PROJECT IS TO IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN NINE RURAL, HIGH-NEEDS SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN UP TO 70 SCHOOLS IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA BY PREPARING HIGHLY QUALIFIED EDUCATORS TO TEACH IN CRITICAL SHORTAGE AREAS MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH AND SCIENCE. CLIP ADDRESSES THE HIGH TEACHER TURNOVER AND SHORTAGES FACING RURAL SCHOOLS BY DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A MODEL OF MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHER PREPARATION. THE MODEL IS AN INNOVATIVE TEACHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM WITH INTEGRATED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INDUCTION SUPPORT. IN TURN, CLIP IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE MEASURABLE POSITIVE IMPACTS ON THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF LOW-PERFORMING RURAL CENTRAL LOUISIANA STUDENTS IN GRADES 6-8.THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION SERVES AS THE LEAD ORGANIZATION FOR THE CENTRAL LOUISIANA INSTRUCTIONAL PARTNERSHIP. CLIP PROJECT PARTNERS INCLUDE: THE NINE CENTRAL LOUISIANA SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF ALLEN, AVOYELLES, CATAHOULA, GRANT, LASALLE, NATCHITOCHES, RAPIDES, VERNON AND WINN; NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY'S GALLASPY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND COLLEGE OF BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY-COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS; URBAN LEARNING & LEADERSHIP CENTER; EVALWORKS; AND THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION, WHICH WILL PROVIDE GRANT ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.APPLICANTS SELECTED FOR THE CLIP PROGRAM WILL COMPLETE A 15-MONTH ACCELERATED GRADUATE PROGRAM OF STUDY CULMINATING IN A MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING DEGREE FROM NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY AND A PROFESSIONAL TEACHING LICENSE. THEY WILL RECEIVE A STIPEND DURING THEIR TRAINING. WHILE COMPLETING THEIR GRADUATE COURSEWORK, CLIP RESIDENTS WILL BE IMMERSED IN AN ACADEMIC YEAR SCHOOL-BASED RESIDENCY IN A HIGH-NEEDS SCHOOL IDENTIFIED BY THE NINE PARTNER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THEY WILL EXPERIENCE A VARIETY OF LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ALONGSIDE A TRAINED AND EXPERIENCED MENTOR TEACHER. NSU'S COLLEGE OF EDUCATION WILL LEAD THE MENTORING PROGRAM AS AN EXTENSION OF THEIR SUPERVISION OF THE RESIDENCY COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM.CLIP RESIDENTS WILL RECEIVE CONTENT EXPERTISE IN STEM TEACHING TECHNIQUES BY NSU'S COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT ENSURING THEY WILL POSSESS THE CONTENT KNOWLEDGE TO IMPLEMENT STEM LESSONS USING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN THEIR CLASSROOMS. UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM, GRADUATES WILL BE PLACED IN CLIP-PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS AND WILL RECEIVE TWO YEARS OF INDUCTION SUPPORT WITH SUSTAINED COACHING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DELIVERED BY CLIP PARTNER URBAN LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP CENTER. CLIP WILL IDENTIFY, SELECT, TRAIN AND SUPPORT HIGHLY EFFECTIVE SCHOOL-BASED COACHES THAT WILL CARRY OUT THE RIGOROUS INDUCTION PROCESS. CLIP GRADUATES ARE EXPECTED TO BE RETAINED IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA HIGH-NEEDS SCHOOLS FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS AS PART OF THE CLIP AGREEMENT. EVALWORKS, ANOTHER CLIP PARTNER, WILL PROVIDE AN INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM TO ENSURE PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ARE BEING MET. OVER FIVE YEARS, CLIP IS EXPECTED TO RECRUIT, RETAIN, AND SUPPORT 44 NEW HIGHLY QUALIFIED MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS IN HIGH-NEEDS SCHOOLS IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA. ADDITIONALLY, 44 TEACHERS WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BE TRAINED AS MENTORS FOR THE FIELD-BASED RESIDENCY, AND 44 SCHOOL DISTRICT EDUCATORS WILL ALSO LEARN COACHING TECHNIQUES TO IMPLEMENT A REGIONAL INDUCTION PROGRAM. THE FIRST CLIP COHORT OF 9 COMPLETED THE PROGRAM IN SUMMER 2020 AND BEGAN THEIR FIRST YEAR OF TEACHING IN FALL 2020. THE SECOND CLIP COHORT OF 9 COMPLETED THE PROGRAM IN SUMMER 2021 AND BEGAN THEIR FIRST YEAR OF TEACHING IN FALL 2021. IN SUMMER 2021, THE THIRD CLIP COHORT OF 9 STARTED THEIR GRADUATE PROGRAM AND BEGAN THEIR RESIDENCY IN FALL 2021.

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES -- THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE MAKES THE LINK BETWEEN HEALTHY ECONOMIES AND HEALTHY PEOPLE. HEALTHY ECONOMIES WITH LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATES AND HIGHER WAGE JOBS PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH THE MEANS TO PURCHASE MEDICAL INSURANCE, MAKE BETTER HEALTHCARE CHOICES AND LIVE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES. THE WORK THAT TAKES PLACE UNDER THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED TO HELP RAISE THE STANDARD OF LIVING IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA BY IMPROVING THE REGION'S CAPACITY TO PRODUCE HIGHER WAGE JOBS FOR ALL INCOME LEVELS AND GENERATE MORE WEALTH IN ITS COMMUNITIES. IN THE AREA OF WORKFORCE SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT, TRF IN LATE 2017 AWARDED A $2 MILLION MATCHING GRANT TO THE LOUISIANA COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM FOUNDATION THAT WILL BE USED BY CLTCC TO ESTABLISH THE CENTRAL LOUISIANA MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTER IN DOWNTOWN ALEXANDRIA AND TO BUILD AND EXPAND ITS MANUFACTURING PROGRAMS LOCATED ON CAMPUSES THROUGHOUT THE REGION. THE STATE OF LOUISIANA MATCHED THE FOUNDATION'S FUNDING WITH $2 MILLION. THE GRANT DOLLARS ARE BEING USED TO FUND A STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNICAL TRAINING PROGRAM WITH A FOCUS ON ADVANCED MANUFACTURING. THE GOAL IS TO PRODUCE GRADUATES FOR THE HIGH-WAGE, HIGH-DEMAND JOBS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR THROUGHOUT THE REGION. TRF SUPPORTED THE LOUISIANA CENTRAL, THROUGH $271,916 IN MATCHING GRANTS, AS THE VEHICLE TO BUILD COOPERATION, COORDINATION, TEAMWORK AND SOCIAL COHESIVENESS FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES. THESE EFFORTS WERE KEY TO BRINGING EXPANSIONS AND NEW BUSINESSES TO CENTRAL LOUISIANA. CENTRAL LOUISIANA MAINTAINED ITS STATUS AS LOUISIANA'S ONLY REGION TO BE FULLY ACT WORK READY CERTIFIED. THE REGION'S TEN ACT CERTIFIED PARISHES CONSTITUTE 50% OF ALL CERTIFIED PARISHES IN THE STATE. THIS CERTIFICATION DEMONSTRATES THE HIGH LEVEL OF SKILLS IN OUR WORKFORCE. MAINTAINING THIS STATUS RELIES HEAVILY ON BUILDING A GROWING BASE OF EMPLOYEES AND POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE EARNED ACT'S NATIONAL CAREER READINESS CERTIFICATE. THIS IMPORTANT, NATIONALLY PORTABLE CREDENTIAL SHOWS EMPLOYERS THE CALIBER OF SKILLS DEMONSTRATED BY POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES. ALL OF THIS ENHANCES CENTRAL LOUISIANA'S ABILITY TO RECRUIT, RETAIN AND EXPAND BUSINESSES WITHIN THE REGION. TRF SUPPORTS BUSINESS STARTUPS AND EXPANSIONS TO BUILD A COMPREHENSIVE AND COORDINATED ENTREPRENEURSHIP SYSTEM FOR CENTRAL LOUISIANA. THE BUSINESS ACCELERATION SYSTEM IS FUNDED THROUGH A $900,000, TRF GRANT AND ADMINISTERED BY LOUISIANA CENTRAL. BAS PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, COACHING AND MENTORING SERVICES FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO WANT TO START OR GROW THEIR BUSINESSES. IN 2021, BAS WORKED ONE-ON-ONE WITH 69 BUSINESS OWNERS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. IT ALSO BROUGHT IN QUARTERLY SPEAKERS AND OFFERED 9 WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, REACHING 168 UNIQUE PARTICIPANTS IN TAKING THEIR BUSINESSES TO THE NEXT LEVEL. IN 2021, TRF AWARDED A $1.4 MILLION GRANT TO CAREER COMPASS OF LOUISIANA THAT ADDRESSES THE HIGH NUMBER OF YOUNG ADULTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 16 AND 24 WHO ARE NEITHER WORKING NOR PURSUING AN EDUCATION. OFTEN REFERRED TO AS "DISCONNECTED YOUTH". THE PROJECT WILL FUND TRAINED CAREER COACHES TO ASSIST HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONING TO A LOCAL TWO- OR FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY OR TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE. IT WILL ALSO FUND STAFF AT PARTICIPATING POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS TO PROVIDE ONGOING SERVICES TO BEYOND GRADUATION STUDENTS DURING THEIR COLLEGE TENURE TO ENSURE THEY CONTINUE TO PROGRESS TOWARD COMPLETION. TRF'S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE ADDRESSES SOCIAL CAPITAL BY SUPPORTING LEADERSHIP AND NONPROFIT DEVELOPMENT, AND INCREASED CIVIC ENGAGEMENT THROUGH FOUNDATION FUNDING PROVIDED TO ITS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORKS PROGRAM. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORKS PROVIDES AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO ENHANCE CIVIC AND COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE EFFECTIVE NONPROFIT LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONS. ITS STRATEGIES SEEK TO FOSTER INCREASED CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, DEVELOP ENHANCED LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. IN 2017, CDW EXTENDED ITS REACH TO THE YOUTH OF CENTRAL LOUISIANA WITH THE LAUNCH OF MY CIVIC LIFE, A CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND SERVICE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MODELED ON AN EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM. THE MY CIVIC LIFE PROGRAM PROVIDES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL-BASED COMMUNITY SERVICE CLUBS CALLED YOUTH VOLUNTEER CORPS (YVC) CLUBS. THE YVC CLUBS PERFORM SERVICE PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR FOLLOWING THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED YOUTH VOLUNTEER CORPS MODEL. IN THE 2020-2021 ACADEMIC YEAR, 15 SCHOOLS FACILITATED YVC CLUBS, WITH 215 STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN OVER 148 DAYS OF SERVICE. CDW ALSO CONTINUED TO OFFER ITS FREE, SKILL-BUILDING TRAININGS ON A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED IN IMPROVING THEIR COMMUNITIES. CDW WORKSHOPS ARE TARGETED FOR NONPROFIT STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS, FOR PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE LOOKING TO CREATE NONPROFITS, OR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE TRYING TO CREATE A COMMUNITY PROJECT THAT ADDRESSES A NEED IN THEIR COMMUNITY. IN 2021, CDW OFFERED 33 FREE TRAININGS BOTH ONLINE AND ON-SITE TO 307 INDIVIDUALS. IN-HOUSE WORKSHOPS AND WEBINARS ARE HELD IN THE SPRING AND FALL, SO THAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPAND THEIR KNOWLEDGE IN AREAS SUCH AS FUND DEVELOPMENT, EVALUATION AND GRANT PROPOSAL WRITING. CDW'S LEARNING LAB IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND PROVIDES A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR NONPROFITS AND INDIVIDUALS SEEKING INFORMATION ABOUT GRANTS, BOARD GOVERNANCE AND OTHER RESOURCES NEEDED TO SUPPORT THEIR CITIZEN-LED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS. IN ADDITION, CDW OFFERS AN E-LIBRARY SERVICE THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO CHECK OUT BOOKS AND OTHER RESOURCES ONLINE. ELEVEN COMMUNITY LEADERS GRADUATED FROM THE POPULAR CENLA BOARDBUILDERS PROGRAM IN 2021. CENLA BOARDBUILDERS IS A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR EMERGING LEADERS TO BECOME ACTIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AS MEMBERS OF LOCAL NONPROFIT BOARDS. PARTICIPANTS ARE TRAINED THROUGH A SERIES OF SESSIONS ON THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN EFFECTIVE BOARD MEMBER. EMPLOYER PARTNERS PARTICIPATE BY ALLOWING THEIR EMPLOYEE TIME OFF DURING WORK HOURS TO ATTEND TRAINING SESSIONS AND BOARD MEETINGS. NONPROFIT PARTNERS CONNECT WITH CENLA BOARDBUILDERS GRADUATES TO OFFER BOARD SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES. THE ELEVEN 2021 GRADUATES ARE NOW SERVING ON BOARDS THROUGHOUT CENTRAL LOUISIANA, AND THEY JOIN A GROUP OF 239 CENLA BOARDBUILDERS ALUMNI. IN ADDITION, CDW HOSTED CENLA EXECBUILDERS, A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS. SEVEN NONPROFIT DIRECTORS GRADUATED FROM THE PROGRAM IN 2021, AND THEY JOIN A GROUP OF 50 CENLA EXECBUILDERS ALUMNI WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM'S PEER LEADERSHIP NETWORK. THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION'S GOALS FOR HEALTHY COMMUNITIES ARE:10-YEAR IMPACTS (2012-2023): ACHIEVE A REAL AVERAGE ANNUAL MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME GROWTH RATE OF 0.8%, OR A MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF $42,184. INCREASE CENTRAL LOUISIANA'S MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME TO 92% OF THE SOUTHERN MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME. INCREASE CENTRAL LOUISIANA'S MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME TO 80% OF THE U.S MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME. INCREASE PERCENTAGE OF POSTSECONDARY DEGREES FROM 2 AND 4-YEAR INSTITUTIONS FROM 21% IN 2012 TO 26%. (24% IMPROVEMENT) INCREASE POSTSECONDARY GRADUATION RATES FROM 73% IN 2012 TO 86%. (18% IMPROVEMENT)