From day one, January 8, 2024, we hit the ground running with a clear mission and steadfast dedication. We promptly launched the LCTF grant portal, LYFE Grant Portal, led impactful campaigns and initiatives, hosted the annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference, reformed the Children’s Cabinet legislation, as well as the LYFE SRAE Curriculum, and began strengthening key relationships across the state.

As someone who focuses on practical solutions, it quickly became clear that the lack of collaboration between agencies was a significant issue. That’s why I’ve advocated for a straightforward approach: “It’s time to step out of your comfort zones, reach across the aisle, and work together.” Every role—whether a social worker, judge, teacher, court-appointed advocate, healthcare provider, or police officer—is vital and contributes to our shared goals. However, we can only make real progress by overcoming our own limitations and fostering greater communication and cooperation.

Our ultimate GOAL is to ensure that children and families in LOUISIANA have the opportunity to receive the QUALITY of LIFE they DESERVE! This is achieved by breaking down unnecessary barriers, sharing essential data, and prioritizing the well-being of our community and STATE. By working together with a unified purpose, we can make a significant and lasting difference.

Jolie V. Williamson

Director of Children's Programs

LPB's Louisiana Young Heroes

Louisiana Children’s Cabinet Executive Director Jolie Williamson presented official statements to LPB’s seven young heroes at an event hosted at the Governor’s Mansion.

LPB's Louisiana Young Heroes program celebrates exceptional young people who have excelled in academics, given significantly of themselves through public service, overcome personal adversity, exhibited extraordinary heroism, or inspired others through their deeds and strength of character to become better students, persons, and citizens.

Congratulations to the 2024 Young Heroes recipients!

PREVENT CHILD ABUSE LOUISIANA (PCAL) NOLA VISIT

Pictured left to right:

LaVondra Dobbs, CEO VIALINK; Sherrard Crespo, LCSW, Exec Director for Prevent Child Abuse LA; Sharon Pierce, Peer Reviewer with Prevent Child Abuse America; Jolie V. Williamson, Director of Children’s Programs and Executive Director of the Louisiana Children’s Cabinet ; Anita Odom, National Director of State Chapters, Prevent Child Abuse America; Idell Arnaud, DCFS/TANF

Jolie V. Williamson, Director of Children’s Programs and Executive Director of the Louisiana Children’s Cabinet participated in a site visit to one of the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund Grantees, Via link, Inc., / PCAL New Orleans, LA location. Representatives from the National Office of Prevent Child Abuse America visited VIA LINK, the umbrella agency for Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana (PCAL) for a site visit. These site visits are conducted to support chapters in representing the 9 Core Areas of Prevent Child Abuse America. With this site visit PCAL has moved from an initial provisional charter to a full charter as the Louisiana affiliate of Prevent Child Abuse America.

CHILDREN YOUTH PLANNING BOARD (CYPB) Calcasieu Parish

Today, Jolie V. Williamson, Director of Children’s Programs and Executive Director of the Children’s Cabinet, participated in the Calcasieu Parish Children and Youth Planning Board (CYPB) meeting.

The meeting included subcommittee reports, during which data from the Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) and the Juvenile Detention Center was discussed with various agency representatives on the Board, along with an update from the Child and Adolescent Response Team (CART).

Ms. Williamson distributed LCTF Swim Safety flyers and postcards for the upcoming LCTF Five-Year State Plan Children’s Caucus. Juvenile crime and the number of juveniles placed in detention have decreased significantly since the MARC Center was implemented in Calcasieu Parish, which Ms. Williamson then toured along with the Juvenile Detention Center. Calcasieu Parish’s Children Youth and Planning Board (CYPB) is an exemplary model for all Louisiana parishes and future CYPBs.

For more information regarding CYPBs, please refer to Act 555, implemented in 2003.

SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA (SWLA) SWIM FAIR

Jolie Williamson, Director of Children’s Programs and the Children’s Cabinet at the City of Lake Charles Recreation Department, attended the Community Swim Fair, where the public can come together and learn about swim safety. Director of Community Services Mike Castille and Directors of Programming Karen Hardy and Kim Albrecht put on eight weeks of Summer Camps. This initiative provides community outreach and the opportunity to learn how to swim and offers the community access to a vital survival resource. Thank you to the City of Lake Charles for providing this opportunity for the people of Louisiana!

LOUISIANA CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND (LCTF) Child Abuse Prevention Conference

The 3rd Annual Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund Child Abuse Prevention Conference, held at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana on April 22, 2024, convened professionals, policymakers, advocates, and community members to address the prevention of child abuse and the promotion of child well-being in the state. The conference featured keynote speakers focusing on resilience and understanding trauma, along with breakout sessions covering various topics such as brain architecture and trauma, child trafficking, grief support, substance use prevention, domestic violence prevention, and more. Attendees had the opportunity to network, engage in workshops, and access resources from exhibitors to enhance collective efforts in child abuse prevention. CEU/CLE credits were available for eligible sessions, emphasizing the importance of ongoing education and collaboration in safeguarding children and families

LSU GRANT REVIEWER TRAINING

On February 5th The Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund and The Louisiana Children’s Cabinet trained LSU students taking a grant development class on grant reviews and scoring. The class, led by Professor Dr. Pricilla Allen, welcomed us to their 7506 SW Community Engagement and Grant Development class. During this class, we trained them on scoring our grant applications for LCTF which are due on Feb 23, 2024 from the grantee prospects.

Children's Cabinet Meeting

The Louisiana Children’s Cabinet held their first meeting at the Capitol, featuring introductions of both new and returning members. Executive Director Jolie V. Williamson extended a warm welcome and emphasized the importance of building community relationships, enhancing communication channels to provide information about available resources, and educating frontline workers to better serve Louisiana's children and families.

During the meeting, speakers from BCFS Health and Human Services and Via Link, Inc/PCAL addressed crucial topics. The speakers delved into programs focused on Human Trafficking Prevention and Prevention of Child Abuse Louisiana (PCAL), shedding light on vital initiatives for the welfare of the state's youth.

2024 Children's Caucus

August 22, 2024

Director of Children’s Programs and Executive Director of the Children’s Cabinet Jolie V. Williamson, Executive Director of the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund Ursula Anderson, and Executive Secretary Michele Rabalais embarked on a crucial tour across Louisiana. This week, they visited Shreveport, Monroe, and Alexandria to host and participate in the Children’s Caucus, a key event focused on gathering essential data for LCTF's Five-Year State Plan aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect.

Their tour underscores a commitment to enhancing child welfare across the state, engaging with local communities, and consolidating insights that will shape effective strategies for safeguarding children. As they continue their efforts, the team will soon visit Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Covington, Plaquemine, and Thibodaux to further this important dialogue and reach all regions of the state. This initiative is vital for fostering a safer environment for children, reinforcing the state’s dedication to preventing abuse and neglect, and gathering qualitative data from key stakeholders to improve the quality of life for children and families in Louisiana.

Please join us as we come to a region near you! Check out our flyer and link below for dates and locations!

Link:

Caucus - LOUISIANA CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND (louisianactf.org)

Relationships Before Rigor

Amanda Shackelford, Executive Director of LYFE, presented at Lafayette Parish School System’s Back to School Conferences for middle and high school teachers. Her session, “Relationship Before Rigor,” focused on fostering the necessary skills for youth the have to set the foundation for optimal growth potential.

Louisiana "LYFE" in SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Last month, LYFE’s Executive Director, Amanda Shackelford, and LYFE’s Program Manager, Tressa Dunbar, attended the 2024 Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Grantee Conference in San Francisco, CA

Outstanding Mature Girlz (OMG), LYFE Grantee

Outstanding Mature Girlz (OMG), one of LYFE’s Program Grantees, held its Annual Conference this past Saturday, June 1 at the Raising Cane’s River Center. Hundreds of girls ages 9-19 from across the state were in attendance and were treated to inspirational speakers, music and dancing, a beauty room, and educational sessions. LYFE’s Executive Director, Amanda Shackelford, was among the various speakers at the conference on behalf of the Governor’s Office. She expounded upon the conference’s theme with the message, “You can do all things.” It was a fantastic day for all involved!

Parents & Caregivers Back to School Flyer_LYFE.pdf

LYFE: BACK TO SCHOOL

Louisiana Youth For Excellence is kicking off it's Back to School Initiative. Providing over 1,000 booksacks stocked with school supplies and parent resources!

Overdose Awareness Day!

This week, our team wore purple for Overdose Awareness Day, showing our commitment to remembering those lost and spreading awareness. #wearpurple

Training Grounds and Early Childhood Support and Services (ECSS) at Tulane University.

Last week, Jolie V. Williamson, Director of Children’s Programs and Executive Director of the Children’s Cabinet, and Marcus Thomas, Director of Early Childhood Systems, visited the LCTF Grantee Training Grounds in New Orleans and Early Childhood Support and Services (ECSS) at Tulane University.

Their visit highlights a strong commitment to enhancing support for early childhood education and mental health in our communities. Together, they explored innovative approaches and resources, including ECSS’s consultation services that promote mental health for children from birth to five years.

We’re inspired by their dedication to improving outcomes for our youngest learners and their families!

https://medicine.tulane.edu/tecc

https://www.mytraininggrounds.org

Jolie V. Williamson, Director of Children’s Programs and Executive Director of the Children’s Cabinet, visited Eunice Christian Academy to discuss the election process, voting, and leadership with pre-K to 9th graders. Jolie gifted them LCTF Coloring Books on safety and bullying self-defense and later attended the annual Steak and Burgers event for the Boys and Girls Club in Baton Rouge, continuing her mission to empower youth.

Marcus Thomas, Director of Early Childhood Systems, and Jolie Williamson, Director of Children's Programs and Executive Director of the Children’s Cabinet, toured the Kids Count Childcare & Development Center in Baton Rouge. The center is doing important work in preparing children ages 6 weeks to 4 years for kindergarten readiness.

The staff and educators at Kids Count are playing a vital role in ensuring that young children are given a strong foundation for their future success.

MORGAN RAE CENTER FOR HOPE

Jolie V. Williamson, Director of Children’s Programs and Executive Director of the Louisiana Children’s Cabinet, attended the grand opening of the Morgan Rae Center for Hope. This center focuses on providing support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, and neglect, offering vital resources to aid in their healing and development.

On December 9th, The Children’s Programs honored Arthur Gremillion and the Arthur and Friends Community Choir at the Louisiana State Capitol with a proclamation from Governor Landry, recognizing their achievements, including winning the “How Sweet the Sound” gospel competition in Atlanta and performing at the Stellar Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The choir showcased their talent with a performance in the Capitol Rotunda, followed by a reception celebrating their talent and leadership. Congratulations on their well-deserved recognition!

LOUISIANA PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES @ THE CAPITOL

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