Louisiana United Methodist Children And Family Services Inc

WE GUIDE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HOME TO EXPERIENCE GOD'S LOVE BY FOLLOWING THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST.THE LOUISIANA UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, INC. (LUMCFS) THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES LOUISIANA'S MOST INTENSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT AND THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE SERVICES TO ABOUT 265 CHILDREN EACH DAY. LUMCFS CONTINUES INCREASING SERVICE CAPACITY TO MEET THE INTENSIVE TREATMENT NEEDS OF LOUISIANA'S CHILDREN.LUMCFS IS ONE OF LA'S LEADING FAITH-RELATED CHILD WELFARE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MINISTRIES. IN 2023, MORE THAN 550 STAFF CARED FOR THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN ONE OF OUR NATION'S MOST IMPOVERISHED STATES. OUR VISION IS TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF CARE TO LA'S CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BY OFFERING HOLISTIC SERVICES.

LUMCFS OPERATES THREE METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOMES WHICH ARE STRATEGICALLY LOCATED IN THE BOOTSTRAP, HEEL AND TOE OF LOUISIANA'S BOOT-SHAPED GEOGRAPHY. LOUISIANA METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME (LMCH) IN RUSTON, LOUISIANA PROVIDES CARE FOR UP TO 96 BOYS AND GIRLS FROM ACROSS THE STATE WHOSE BEHAVIORAL NEEDS REQUIRE COMPREHENSIVE, INTENSIVE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT. METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA IS A 28-BED PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY. METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA CARE FOR 32 CHILDREN WHO REQUIRE INTENSIVE RESIDENTIAL CARE.OUR THREE METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOMES ARE INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED BY THE COUNCIL ON ACCREDITATION AND ARE LICENSED BY LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AS PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITIES. WE PROVIDE THE MOST INTENSIVE, COMPREHENSIVE AND HOLISTIC RESIDENTIAL CARE AVAILABLE TO LOUISIANA'S CHILDREN. LUMCFS RECEIVE REQUESTS FOR CARE FROM THROUGHOUT LA FROM PARENTS, MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS, INSURANCE COMPANIES, CUSTODIAL STATE AGENCIES INCLUDING THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, THE OFFICE OF JUVENILE JUSTICE, AND THE LA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,CLERGY AND FROM HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS.DURING 2023, LUMCFS PROVIDED 44,476 DAYS OF RESIDENTIAL CARE TO 370 CHILDREN WHO RECEIVED CARE IN OUR THREE CHILDREN'S HOMES. THESE ARE CHILDREN FOR WHOM APPROPRIATE CARE WAS UNAVAILABLE IN OTHER TREATMENT PROGRAMS. OUR RESIDENTIAL SERVICES ARE FAMILY-ORIENTED PROGRAMS WHICH HELP CHILDREN RETURN HOME WHEN POSSIBLE.

LIFE SKILLS TRAINING CENTER: WITH REGIONAL LIFE SKILLS TRAINING CENTERS IN THE MONROE, COVINGTON, LAFAYETTE, AND LAKE CHARLES REGIONS, IN 2023 THE FOUR LIFE SKILLS TRAINING CENTERS IN LOUISIANA SERVED ALMOST 500 CHILDREN IN THE STATE'S CUSTODY. CHILDREN AGES 14-17 IN THE CARE OF OUR THREE METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOMES, CHILDREN RESIDING IN THE CARE OF OTHER LA CHILD CARE AGENCIES, AND CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS PROGRAM (ILSP) OF OUR LIFE SKILLS TRAINING CENTERS. THE ILSP CLASSES ARE DESIGNED TO EDUCATE CHILDREN ABOUT SUBJECTS SUCH AS GOAL SETTING, JOB AND EMPLOYMENT SKILLS, COOKING, POSITIVE PEER RELATIONSHIPS, SEX EDUCATION, MONEY MANAGEMENT, SEX TRAFFICKING PREVENTION, SELF-CARE, AND MANY OTHER SUBJECTS RELATED TO LIVING INDEPENDENTLY. WE PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO YOUNG ADULTS AGES 18-26 WHO ARE FORMER PARTICIPANTS IN LOUISIANA'S CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES INCLUDE ASSISTANCE IN FINDING HOUSING, GUIDANCE IN ENROLLING IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS; SUPPORT IN FINDING AND SECURING EMPLOYMENT; HELP WHEN ATTENDING COURT; AND CREATING CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES. OUR CASE MANAGEMENT STAFF PROVIDES ACTIVE MENTORING AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. THEFAMILY COUNSELING CENTER IS THE ORGANIZATION'S OUTPATIENT COUNSELING PROGRAM LOCATED ON THE GROUNDS OF LOUISIANA METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME IN RUSTON, LA. DURING 2023 FCC SERVED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN NORTH LOUISIANA AND PROVIDED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING SERVICES TO OVER 2,000 INDIVIDUALS. THE FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER MEETS THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES IN NORTH LA IN A VARIETY OF SPECIALTY AREAS WHICH INCLUDE CHILDREN'S SERVICES, TRAUMA RECOVERY, AND MARRIAGE AND FAMILY ISSUES. IT HAS BECOME A VITAL PART OF THE LARGER COMMUNITY WORKING FROM A SYSTEMATIC VIEW OF COMMUNITY NEEDS AND RESOURCES. WE BELIEVE PARTNERING WITH A PURPOSE ACROSS A DIVERSE SPECTRUM OF PROGRAMS AND ORGANIZATIONS IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO ADDRESS THE COMPLEX ARRAY OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AFFECTING OUR COMMUNITY. DURING 2023 FCC CONTINUED TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE NORTH-CENTRAL LA COMMUNITY TO HELP STRENGTHEN THESE COLLABORATIVE BONDS.OWL EQUINE CENTER PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM OFFERS THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP CLASSES AND THERAPEUTIC RIDING LESSONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. LOCATED ON THE 800-ACRE OWL CENTER CAMPUS, OWL EQUINE CENTER HAS TWO PATH CERTIFIED EQUINE INSTRUCTORS AND PROVIDES THERAPEUTIC RIDING LESSONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HANDICAPS AND THERAPEUDIC HORSEMANSHIP CLASSES FOR YOUTH FROM THE COMMUNITY.OUTDOOR WILDERNESS LEARNING CENTER: THE OWL CENTER IS AN 800-ACRE EXPERIENTIAL CAMPUS IN NORTH CENTRAL LA WHICH SERVED OVER 5,000 INDIVIDUALS IN 2023 THROUGH A VARIETY OF THERAPEUTIC, RECREATIONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE OWL CENTER FEATURES EQUINE FACILITIES; A LARGE, MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS FIELD; A PAVILION; A CHALLENGE COURSE WITH LOW AND HIGH ELEMENTS; AND CAMPING FACILITIES WITH CABINS, SHOWERS AND RESTROOM FACILITIES, KITCHEN AND STORAGE, AND A BUNKHOUSE FOR LARGE GROUPS.THE MOST IMPORTANT FACILITY AT THE OWL CENTER IS THE FAMILY LODGE WHERE FAMILIES OF LMCH RESIDENTS CAN STAY AT NO CHARGE TO VISIT THEIR CHILD AND PARTICIPATE IN TREATMENT.

METHODIST FOSTER CARE IS LOUISIANA'S LARGEST PROVIDER OF THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE SERVICES TO CHILDREN IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES (DCFS). THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE IS A FAMILY-BASED SERVICE WHICH ALLOWS CHILDREN TO LIVE IN A FOSTER HOME WITH SPECIALLY TRAINED PARENTS WHILE RECEIVING INTENSIVE TREATMENT FROM COMMUNITY-BASED PROVIDERS OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR THEIR EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL NEEDS. METHODIST FOSTER CARE OPERATES STATEWIDE OUT OF FIVE REGIONAL OFFICES LOCATED IN NORTH, CENTRAL AND SOUTH LOUISIANA. REGIONAL METHODIST FOSTER CARE STAFF MEMBERS RECRUIT, TRAIN, CERTIFY AND SUPPORT THE FOSTER FAMILIES WHO PROVIDE THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE.EACH YEAR ABOUT 8,000 CHILDREN ENTER LOUISIANA'S FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AFTER A JUDGE DETERMINES THEY ARE UNABLE TO LIVE WITH THEIR PARENTS FOR REASONS OF PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL ABUSE OR NEGLECT. ON ANY GIVEN DAY THERE ARE ABOUT 4,700 LOUISIANA CHILDREN WHO REQUIRE FOSTER CARE SERVICES BUT HAS ABOUT 2,000 FOSTER HOMES. LOUISIANA IS SHORT 100'S OF FOSTER HOMES. METHODIST FOSTER CARE IS WORKING TO FILL THE GAP FOR THE CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE WITH THE MOST SIGNIFICANT NEEDS.DURING 2023, MFC CONTINUED GROWTH INTO ALL REGIONS OF LA WITH FOCUSED EMPHASES ON SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST LA. MFC CONTINUED TO INCREASE CENSUS THROUGH INTENTIONAL RECRUITMENT EFFORTS. MFC CONTINUES DEVELOPING POOLS OF SPECIALIZED THERAPEUTIC FOSTER HOMES WHO WILL CARE FOR GROUPS OF CHILDREN FOR WHOM DCFS FINDS IT DIFFICULT TO SECURE TFC SERVICES.METHODIST FOSTER CARE CONTINUES IMPLEMENTING TWO EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT MODELS: TRAUMA-BASED RELATIONAL INTERVENTIONS (TBRI) AND THE QUALITY PARENTING INITIATIVE (QPI). IN ADDITION, METHODIST FOSTER CARE IS PROGRESSING STEADILY IN BUILDING ITS STATEWIDE NETWORK THERAPEUTIC FOSTER FAMILIES, RECRUITING, TRAINING, CERTIFYING AND MAINTAINING TFC FAMILIES THROUGHOUT LOUISIANA. MFC CONTINUES EXPANSION BY ESTABLISHING ADDITIONAL REGIONAL OFFICES FOR NORTHWEST, SOUTHWEST, AND SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA. ULTIMATELY, METHODIST FOSTER CARE WISHES TO HAVE THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT THE DAILY NEEDS OF 250 CHILDREN.

HOWARD SCHOOL IS A HIGHLY RANKED ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL IN LOUISIANA AND HAS TWICE BEEN DESIGNATED A "TOP GAINS" SCHOOL BY LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. DURING THE 2023 CALENDAR YEAR, EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED CHILDREN FROM ACROSS THE STATE OF LOUISIANA ATTENDED HOWARD SCHOOL ON THE RUSTON COMPUS OF LOUISIANA METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME. 95% OF STUDENTS ATTENDING HOWARD SCHOOL ARE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED.NAMED IN MEMORY OF A GENEROUS BENEFACTOR, MRS. LORRAINE NOBLES HOWARD, "HOWARD SCHOOL" IS LICENSED BY LOUISIANA'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL. STUDENTS WHO ATTEND HOWARD SCHOOL RECEIVE MORE "SEAT TIME" IN HOWARD SCHOOL THAN IS LIKELY IN THE TRADIONAL SCHOOL SETTINGS THEY WILL RETURN TO UPON DISCHARGE.HOWARD SCHOOL IS STAFFED BY FIFTEEN WELL-TRAINED, CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS, INCLUDING A GUIDANCE COUNSELOR, AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT STAFF WHO PROVIDE QUALITY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN. THE AVERAGE DAILY STUDENT COUNT FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AT HOWARD SCHOOL AND THE JOHN ALLEN VOCATIONAL CENTER WAS 83. END-OF-COURSE TESTING AT THE HIGH SCHOOL IN 2023 RESULTED IN A PASSING RATE OF 73%. CARNEGIE CREDITS WERE AWARDED TO HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH WHO REMAINED IN OUR CARE LONG ENOUGH TO COMPLETE RESPECTIVE GRADING PERIODS.