1. Introduction

2. Baton Rouge Region (Region 2)  East Baton Rouge  Pointe Coupée  West Baton Rouge  Iberville  East Feliciana  West Feliciana  St. Helena  Livingston  Tangipahoa

3. Baton Rouge Region PARISH  East Baton Rouge  Pointe Coupée  West Baton Rouge  Iberville  East Feliciana  West Feliciana  St. Helena  Livingston  Tangipahoa POVERTY RATE  21.9 %  28.2%  20.9%  27.5%  25.7%  15.4%  33.0%  14.3%  27.0%

4. Regional Team Members & Organizers  DSS/OFS  DHH/OPH  DPSC/P&P  LDOL  LSU  DOE  CAHSD  BREC  Family Road  WBR Community Action Agency & Parish Council  St. Helena Health Unit and Substance Abuse Center  Iberville Parish Government & Town of St. Gabriel  Livingston Parish Sheriff Dept. and Springfield Head Start  EBR Councilman Charles Kelly, St. Paul Catholic Church, Zachary Councilman Wayne Carter  Pointe Coupee Parish Council, Health Unit & Wurtele Foundation  W. Feliciana Police Jury  E. Feliciana Health Unit & School Board, 21 st Century Community Learning Ctr., & Feliciana Family Outreach  Tangipahoa Parish Government, LWIA

5. Priority Community Conversation Issue Areas 1.Enhancing Education 2.Enhancing Employment & Economic Development 3.Enhancing Community Assets 4. Enhancing Family Assets

6. Education Issues & Solutions 8 of 9 parishes in Region 2 chose Education as a primary concern. Issues  Options for students who do not intend to pursue post- secondary education  Increased Early Education opportunities for all children  Lack of Parental Involvement  Multigenerational Low Literacy Levels  Improve LEAP Scores Solutions  Reinstate dual track curriculum: Industrial Arts/Vocational Ed  Business/Industry sponsored Career/Job Fairs & Job Shadowing  Open enrollment for Head Start/LA 4 regardless of income  Mandatory parent/teacher meetings w/ flexible hours  Parental Liability for Truancy  Outreach/Home Visits  Adult ed at local sites after hours and weekends  After school tutorial & enrichment at all schools

7. Employment/Economic Development Issues and Solutions 5 of 9 parishes in Region 2 chose Economic Development as a primary concern. Issues  Relevant Job Training  Attract New Business/Industry Solutions  Use local public projects to train youths and adults & school based training for youths  Volunteer Retirees  Funding through local taxes  Incumbent Worker Program  Seek federal/private grants  Tailor training to skills needed by local business/industry  Ensure “portable credentials” accepted by multiple employers in an industry  Tax incentives for businesses involved in supporting training programs

8. Community Assets Issues and Solutions 2 of 9 parishes in Region 2 chose Community Assets as a primary concern. Issues  Lack of accessible and affordable health treatment facilities  High rates of substance abuse and suicide  Lack of wholesome activities for youth  Lack of transportation within and outside parish  Resource Network Solutions  Utilize available space in Parish Health Unit  Mobile Health Units  Interagency Service Groups  Community & faith based programs to promote healthy choice for youth  Local carpool programs, local van services, vehicle ownership programs  Resource directory available on-line and in hardcopy

9. Family Assets Issues and Solutions 3 of 9 parishes in Region 2 chose Family Assets as a primary concern. Issues Issues  Consumer Education How to Manage Money  Available Affordable Housing Solutions Solutions  Financial Literacy seminars in schools, churches, worksites, libraries, etc.  Outreach to local restaurants, clubs, salons, etc.  Mandatory money mgt. courses in middle and high schools  Outreach IDA and EITC programs  Establish Local Housing Committee and info network  Enforce Housing Authority and Section 8 tenant rules (reform HA)  Renovate adjudicated properties for safe housing  Local CDCs –Builders Adopt a Neighborhood

10. Potential Challenges to Implementation  Lack of “old-fashioned values”  Ignored needs  Closed communities/minds  Fear of change  Lack of community/ business awareness & concern  Turf Issues  Politics  Parish vs. Regional Priorities  Naysayers  Complacency/Ignorance  Lack of hope and motivation  Fast-paced lifestyles/time  Fear of stigma/Negative attitude  Lack of resources  Lack of transportation  Lack of child care  Lack of staffing sources  Lack of funding sources  Predatory Lenders

11. Opportunities to Leverage Existing Resources  Government  Legislature  Collaboratives  Financial Institutions  Business Groups (Chambers, Rotary)  Education System  LANO/CABL  Media  Community and Faith Based Organizations  Business/Industry  Students  Retirees  Taxpayers  General Public  You & Me

12. S.T.O.P. Action Steps (Solutions to Overcome Poverty)  Publicize the STOP initiative to community at large to solicit interest, recruits, & volunteers  Assemble a regional committee of committed members from each parish to develop long term regional plan  Develop a strategic plan for each parish based on Priority Needs and Solutions  Set specific, measurable goals to be attained within timeframes  Monitor progress regularly  Consider new ideas  Communicate