Northeast Delta Human Services Authority Further Catalyzing Services for Children & Adolescents in Rural Northeastern Louisiana
Monroe, LA (PRWEB) October 10, 2014 -- Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (Northeast Delta HSA) announced today plans to further impact services for youth ages 0-18 throughout its northeast Louisiana region.
Northeast Delta HSA will be increasing community engagement and address issues that impact how youth get the services they need. “We plan to connect our existing work with the work of others to help fill a void, especially in our rural communities,” said Dr. Monteic A. Sizer, Northeast Delta HSA Executive Director.
Dr. Sizer acknowledges that there are many NE Delta HSA-funded programs already in place that are making a difference in the region. In addition to its clinic dedicated to women and children’s services, its services for mental health and substance abuse issues, services for children with developmental disabilities, referrals to primary care physicians and crisis services, NE Delta HSA delivers school-based prevention curricula that aim to reduce underage tobacco use, drinking, drug use, and suicide rates. These school-based programs reached more than 12,000 students last year alone. NE Delta HSA also funds additional prevention programs that emphasize social, emotional and life skills for young children. “We plan to build upon existing efforts and create a regional, unified system for people in this age group who are struggling,” said Sizer.
NE Delta HSA recently received a $100,000 partnership grant award from the Department of Health & Hospitals – Office for Behavioral Health through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – Center for Substance Abuse and Prevention (SAMHSA – CSAP) to build coalitions in Union Parish that will strengthen efforts to reduce underage drinking and prescription pill use among youth. “We will be seeking to work with others in Union Parish to improve service delivery among this population,” said Sizer.
“We must think progressively and put programs in place that not only reach children, but also the teachers, parents, clergy and additional adults throughout the community who care for them.”
“Our vision is to further connect our youth to services that enable them to realize their greatest potential,” said Dr. Sizer. “We want to bring unified strength to our region and find new ways to solve old problems. This work will add to important, existing regional coalition models and add to their innovative efforts. We look forward to connecting with willing participants who know they can make a positive contribution and offer creative solutions to children who reside in rural communities.”
Jill Hirsekorn, Northeast Delta Human Services Authority, http://www.nedeltahsa.org, +1 318-362-5482, [email protected]
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