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Contact
Information
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Eileen
Sonnier
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Family Service Center
P.O. Box 2130
St. Francesville, LA 70775
504-635-5299
504-635-5699 (fax) |
Description
of District
The West Feliciana School System serves approximately 2,200 students
(in 4 schools), half of whom qualify for free or reduced lunch.
A 1995 study conducted by the Louisiana Department of Social Services,
titled Bridges to the Future, State of Louisiana Parish Portrait,
states "The parish ranks among the top 10 parishes in the state
with the greatest economic need. For example, the median income
in West Feliciana is lower than the statewide median. More children
in the parish live in poverty than children in other parts of the
state (46% of all children under five are living in poverty)...
the high school dropout rate increased significantly... youth crimes
against persons and property are three times as likely to occur
in West Feliciana as in other parts of the state. The risk of homelessness
for children in the parish is four times the statewide risk." Additionally,
the 1990 census shows that 44% of adults in the parish do not have
a high school diploma or equivalency certificate.
Other characteristics of the community include the lack of public
transportation in a highly rural area, scarce human service and
medical resources and the paucity of available jobs for persons
with only basic skills.
In the face of these dismal descriptors of the community, the school
system has taken the lead in collaborating to develop accessible
services under the umbrella of the Family Service Center. Other
indicators of the willingness of the school system to pursue and
implement innovations include a system-wide developmentally appropriate
pre school program which was recently accredited by the National
Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC); inclusive education
for all children, including those with special needs and those qualifying
for Title 1 services; comprehensive health education, including
sex education; Head Start for 3 year olds; total system evaluation;
and quality staff development opportunities. The school system is
also building a middle school and has recently opened computer labs
in each school with an applied technology lab at the high school.
Description of Project
The Family Service Center is based on the concept that children
benefit most from education when they are sound in body and mind,
and have strong family support.
It's mission is to:
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Promote confidence and competence in parents
Encourage healthy growth and development in children and youth
Enhance the well being of the family as a whole through family
centered services |
The Family
Service Center provides an array of medical, health, early childhood,
educational, mental health and social services to meet the needs
of this community. Services are funded through a mixture of interagency
agreements and grants.
One of the major services is our family literacy program, consisting
of parenting education, adult literacy and early childhood services.
Many of the customers of this program are also clients involved
in welfare reform. This specific project, funded in part by BellSouth,
is assisting us in developing and implementing a vocational training
component that will be under the umbrella of our literacy program.
The Department of Social Services, Office of Family Support, is
our main partner in this endeavor.
Three Year Goal(s)
Long term financial support for the program.
Families who are prepared to find and keep employment and a community
willing to accept welfare reform clients as employees.
Overall goal- To break cycles of intergenerational illiteracy and
poverty of families in this community.
First Year Outcome Objectives
Development of appropriate vocational curriculum.
Successful negotiation with Office of Family Support for funding
support and client referral.
Successful recruitment and retention of program participants.
Curriculum implementation.
At least 1/2 participants successfully complete the program.
At least 1/2 of completing participants obtain a job within the
first two months.
At least 10 community employers agree to participate in some way
with the program.
80% rating of consumer satisfaction from the participants and community
partners.
Production of an annual report which describes the entire Family
Service Center.
Key Individuals For This Project
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Mr.
Lloyd Lindsey, Superintendent
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Eileen
Sonnier, Project Director
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West
Feliciana School Board
P.O. Box 1910
St. Francesville, LA 70775
504-635-3849
504-635-0069 (fax)
Role in Project: Superintendent, supporter, and P.R. in
community among other roles.
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Family
Service Center
P.O. Box 2130
St. Francesville, LA 70775
504-635-5299
504-635-5699 (fax)
fsc@wfpsb.com
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