Conference Comments
Louisiana Conference of Health and Social Services
Conference Comments
Louisiana Conference of Health and Social Services
State Conference 2004
The 2004 Annual Louisiana Conference of Health and Social Services State (LCHSS) Conference was held at the Holidome in Lafayette, Louisiana, March 17-19, 2004. There were many new faces at Conference this year. We were happy to welcome the new and not- so-old members to Conference. 147 people attended Conference this year.
Registration and voting began at noon on Wednesday. The Board Meeting lasted an extra long time. The Board voted to have next year’s State Conference in Hammond, March 9-11, 2005. The Hammond area is anxious to host the event. The Board also voted to move Vernon Parish to the Alexandria Region. The Board voted unanimously to form the new Thibodaux Region. Welcome. The new Thibodaux Region consists of the following parishes: Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, and Terrebonne, and boasts of 32 members. Debra Jones was instrumental in recruiting so many new members and the re-formation of the Region. Thanks, Debra. Pam Brown, the President, appointed Maria Antonio as the new Thibodaux Chairperson.
Mona LeBlanc and her tireless husband, Russell, worked many hours to make Wednesday night’s President’s Reception and Thursday night’s Hospitality Suite so enjoyable. There was good food and the people were friendly. Nobody walked away hungry or thirsty. Thanks, Mona.
The dance began at 8:00 Wednesday night. “Teddy B” was both the DJ and the entertainment.
Thursday morning began with Pam Brown welcoming all those in attendance. Joey Durel, the City Parish President, welcomed us to Lafayette.
Ruth Kennedy from DHH gave a DHH Agency Update. Anne Devillier followed with the DSS Agency Update. Anne unveiled the new DSS logo.
Emily DiStefano, President of DiStefano and Associates and a sponsor of our Conference, presented “Building and Leading Effective Teams”. The key is mutual respect and listening to others.
After lunch, Melinda Taylor, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette, spoke about her organization. Habit for Humanity is our social priority. LCHSS bought square footage of a Habitat home in Lafayette for one needy family. LCHSS would like to join in a work day in Lafayette for a Habitat home. Families are chosen to be a Habitat family based on need and ability to pay. Habitat is always looking for volunteers.
Cheri Spears, a Baton Rouge Area Associate with the American Diabetes Association (ADA), spoke about her organization. The ADA is our health priority. LCHSS collected toys and supplies for children with Diabetes to be used at Diabetes camp. Camp teaches the kids to take care of themselves. They learn things that they can even teach their parents.
Gray Sexton, Ethics Administrator, Louisiana Board of Ethics, presented “Ethic Rules that Apply to YOU and ALL State Employees”.
William Ludwig, Regional Administrator USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Southwest Region, spoke and shared some interesting statistics. 80% of people eligible for Food Stamps receive them in Louisiana. Only 52% of eligible people receive them nationwide. The WIC program is funded by FNS. The school breakfast program feeds 12 million children. The school lunch program feeds 25 million children. This is the most nutritious meal some children get.
This year LCHSS had a Silent Auction. Many people took part in this activity and those with the highest bid walked away with some nice things. The money collected will be donated to Habitat for Humanity and ADA.
Friday morning began with a tasty big breakfast sponsored by Eagle Louisiana Federal Credit Union. I don’t think I have ever seen that many people at Louisiana Conference up that early. Thanks, Eagle Federal.
Sheriff Sid Hebert, Iberia Parish, gave an interesting presentation on DNA. It is a state law that all law enforcement employees must provide DNA samples. It costs $600 to process a DNA sample. DNA is absolute. It is exempt from human interpretation.
Dave Pettijean, Comedian, presented “To a Better You”. He said “If you think that you are too small to make a difference, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.” Everyone can make a difference. It is your reaction to things that makes a difference.
LCHSS Scholarship Award
Jessica Kelly was awarded the 2004 LCHSS scholarship. Jessica is the daughter of Cheryl Kelly, an SSA II in Ouachita Parish. Jessica is a senior at Caldwell Parish High School and a freshman at the University of Louisiana at Monroe where she is studying Clinical Lab Science. Named student of the year for 2004, Jessica is involved in many activities and has been elected to various leadership positions throughout her high school years. She served as Drum Major for the Caldwell Parish High School Marching Band for two years and she plays the flute. In addition to band, she also shows Limousin Cattle in 4-H competitions. Jessica is also very active in Dixie Youth Softball where she plays and coaches a 7-8 year old girls team. After school, Jessica cares for a Downs Syndrome child by tutoring him and helping him improve his social skills. Congratulations, Jessica. LCHSS wishes you good luck.
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated committed, continuous and exceptional service to the organization. This year the Distinguished Service Award was presented to Pam Brown. Our President has been a member of LCHSS since 1985. Pam has served in many different positions for 12 years. She began as 1st Vice-Chair in the Baton Rouge Region in 1992 and served for two terms. In 1995 Pam was appointed at Chairperson for one of our priorities and was Chair for two years. Pam then served as the State 2nd Vice-Chair from 1997-1999. Pam served as the State 1st Vice-Chair from 1999-2001. Pam is currently our President serving her second and final term. Thank you, Pam, for all of your years of service and as our official LCHSS Cheerleader!!
Congratulations, Pam!!!!
Membership
Alexandria 21
Baton Rouge 73
Hammond 24
Lafayette 100
Lake Charles 64
Monroe 23
Orleans 18
Shreveport 31
Thibodaux 32
State Total 386