2009 Louisiana Laws TITLE 46 Public welfare and assistance :: RS 46:450.4 Community-based family center program; pilot program; report; implementation

§450.4.  Community-based Family Center Program; pilot program; report; implementation

A.  The Louisiana Children's Trust Fund Board shall develop, implement, and administer a community-based family center which shall focus on a community-based, holistic approach to providing for the emotional, physical, and social needs of families to enable them to provide optimal learning environments for their children, particularly from birth to the age of four. Such learning environments shall focus on school readiness and early literacy. Such program shall include but not be limited to the following:

(1)  Parenting classes.

(2)  Developmentally appropriate programs to be held during parenting classes.  Such programs shall focus on prekindergarten-age children, especially those who are four years of age or less.

(3)  Support groups.

(4)  Counseling.

(5)  A resource library.

(6)  Community resource and referral services.

(7)  Home safety.

(8)  Budgeting and family finances classes.

(9)  Other services provided by public and private nonprofit agencies with the family center.

B.(1)  The Louisiana Children's Trust Fund Board shall promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation of this Section.

(2)  The Louisiana Children's Trust Fund Board shall establish criteria for persons to qualify for the services provided by a community-based family center. In developing the criteria, the board shall include the following socio-economic factors:

(a)  Household income level or receipt of public assistance.

(b)  Level of parental education.

(c)  History of child neglect or child or spousal abuse within a family.

(d)  Family history of alcohol or substance abuse.

(e)  History of teenage pregnancy.

(f)  Receipt of services from the Department of Children and Family Services as children in need of care or families in need of services.

(g)  Eligibility to participate in the Louisiana Children's Health Insurance Program (LaCHIP).

C.(1)  The Louisiana Children's Trust Fund Board shall develop a pilot program for a community-based family center in one or more parishes in the state if funds become available.  The parish or parishes selected for the pilot program shall have high rates of teenage pregnancy, persons who receive public assistance, and juvenile delinquency and a demonstrated commitment to forming partnerships between local governments, nonprofit entities, and other organizations or individuals in the parish.  The purpose of the pilot program is to determine the cost-effectiveness and the benefits and difficulties associated with implementing such a program on a statewide basis.

(2)  The Louisiana Children's Trust Fund Board shall provide for the issuance of a request for proposals for a pilot program with an option for statewide implementation.  Implementation of the pilot program shall begin by July 1, 2000.  The pilot program shall be evaluated by the board after one year of operation.

D.  The Louisiana Children's Trust Fund Board shall submit a written report on the pilot program including recommendations for statewide expansion and implementation of the program to the Children's Cabinet, the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, and House Committee on Health and Welfare not later than January 15, 2001.

Acts 1999, No. 799, §1, eff. July 2, 1999.