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Introduction

Introduction. Monroe Region (Region 8). Caldwell Parish East Carroll Parish Franklin Parish Madison Parish Morehouse Parish Ouachita Parish Richland Paris Tensas Parish West Carroll Parish. PARISH Caldwell Parish East Carroll Parish Franklin Parish Madison Parish

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Introduction

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  1. Introduction

  2. Monroe Region (Region 8) • Caldwell Parish • East Carroll Parish • Franklin Parish • Madison Parish • Morehouse Parish • Ouachita Parish • Richland Paris • Tensas Parish • West Carroll Parish

  3. PARISH Caldwell Parish East Carroll Parish Franklin Parish Madison Parish Morehouse Parish Ouachita Parish Richland Parish Tensas Parish West Carroll Parish POVERTY RATE 20.1 % 40.1% 27.2% 31.3% 25.1% 19.7% 26.5% 32.6% 24.8% Monroe Region

  4. Organizers & Regional Team Members (including affiliations) Caldwell:Better Health For the Delta; Caldwell Parish Health Coalition; Caldwell Police Jury; Citizens Medical Center; Office of Family Support East Carroll:La Center Against Poverty; Children’s Coalition for NELA; LSU Ag Center; Lake Providence Port; Catholic Ministries Franklin:LSU Ag. Department Extension Service; YWCA of NELA Madison:La Department of Corrections; LDPS – Probation and Parole Morehouse:Chamber of Commerce Bastrop/Morehouse; YWCA; City of Bastrop; Morehouse Police Jury; Morehouse Parish School District; Dept of Labor; La Technical College; District Attorney’s Office/Victims Assistance; Morehouse Council on Aging; Morehouse OFS; Super 1 in Bastrop

  5. Organizers & Regional Team Members (including affiliations) Ouachita:Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana; City of Monroe; City of West Monroe; DSS Office of Family Support; University of Louisiana at Monroe; United Way of Northeast Louisiana; Monroe Chamber of Commerce; Region VIII Office of Addictive Disorders; YWCA of Northeast Louisiana; West Monroe Chamber of Commerce; Ouachita Economic Development Corporation; Interfaith Sponsoring Committee; Coca-Cola Bottling, Ken’s Coffee Service Richland:Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health; Better Health for the Delta, Delhi Hospital; Richland Parish Job Readiness Trainer/ Justice of the Peace; Rayville Head Start; City of Rayville Tensas:Tensas Parish Jury; Youth Opportunity Center; LSU Ag. Department Extension Service; LDPS- Probation and Parole West Carroll:West Carroll Partners in Prevention; Council on Aging; West Carroll Sheriff's Department; Macon Economic Opportunity, Inc; Chamber of Commerce; West Carroll OFS

  6. Priority Community Conversation Issue Areas • Enhancing Education • Enhancing Employment & Economic Development • Enhancing Community Assets • 4. Enhancing Family Assets

  7. Top Solutions to Poverty Priority Issues • Improved education that prepares children to succeed and to lead productive lives • Economic development that results in family friendly jobs – higher wages with benefits • Support for families including access to health care, affordable housing, child care, information about available services and financial planning • Improved community infrastructure including public transportation, improved roads, public and recreational facilities

  8. ISSUES Insufficient funding for multiple school systems Inadequate early childhood programs Lack of parental involvement Fragmented and limited basic, technical and life skills services SOLUTIONS Consider consolidation of school systems to improve efficiency and quality Coordinate efforts to enhance and expand pre-kindergarten and after-school programs Encourage more parental involvement and emphasize adult literacy programs/outreach Advocate for change in MFP funding to make more equitable Increase job training, vocational education and life skills training in high schools and at the post secondary level Advocate for guidance counselors at every school Hire a grant writer to seek funding for needed programs Education Issues & Solutions

  9. ISSUES Fragmented and limited basic, technical and life skills services Family friendly employment opportunities (wages/benefits) Coordination between local providers and employers SOLUTIONS Coordinate efforts to improve efficiency and make best use of limited funds available Improve educational systems—including new facilities Recruit business with family friendly jobs as defined as higher wages with benefits, support for child care and further job training Increase job training opportunities and apprenticeships that are specific to the jobs available in parishes Enhance law enforcement and security in communities to address crime rates and to provide a secure environment for economic development Employment/Economic Development Issues & Solutions

  10. ISSUES Child Care and Pre-K classes Community Health Care & Centers Affordable Housing Communication and Awareness Transportation SOLUTIONS Develop a broad based communication plan Develop local builder incentives to build affordable housing Promote the development of more school-based health centers Encourage agencies that have transportation capabilities to pool resources and combine their efforts Provide more financial planning education and require it for access to loan funds Promote resources available for child care and pre-kindergarten classes Family Assets Issues & Solutions

  11. ISSUES Transportation Lack of public-use facilities Lack of access to “outside” funding from state & federal governments and foundations Communication between public and private sectors SOLUTIONS Examine the feasibility of an affordable transportation system for cities and rural parishes Improve major highways and access roads Invest in public and recreational facilities Demand accountability for funds and outcomes from government, non-profit and public sector agencies Hire a grant writer to seek funding for needed improvements Community Assets Issues & Solutions

  12. Potential Challenges to Implementation • Lack of public transportation • Apathy within communities • Lack of collaboration—willingness to work together for the common good • Lack of reciprocal respect from those in “power” towards those that are “powerless” • Lack of education—low literacy • Lack of funding to implement appropriate changes • Bureaucracy • State and federal policies—(Louisiana is not a business friendly state) • Diversity • Lack of awareness of what the issues are/lack of communication • Fear of change

  13. Opportunities to Leverage Existing Resources • Collaboration of agencies/organizations to “pool” funding, creating more significant change • Increase knowledge about already existing services through grassroots efforts, directories, and media

  14. S.T.O.P. Action Steps(Solutions to Overcome Poverty) • Create a change in the perception of poverty! • Demand accountability and outcomes • Maintain long-term plans and monitor progress regularly • View differences in parishes and develop plans according to their individual needs

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