St. John the Baptist
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
40^th Juvenile Justice Building, Reserve

Present:

Patti Rodrigue Volunteer

Laureen Arceneaux Volunteer

Artis WilliamsSt. John United Way

Joe CarrSocial Worker

Sheela Jambotkar Volunteer

Diane JohnsonDepartment of Health & Human Services

William MageeSouth Central Louisiana Human Services Authority

Ashanti Johnson, R.N.St. John Parish School Board Head Start

Shelia G. BaloneySt. John Parish School Board Head Start

Cynthia Clifton LSU AgCenter

Cynthia Clifton welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending the FCS Healthy Community Advisory Board meeting.The meeting opened at 10:00 a.m.

Opening prayer was in silence.

Everyone introduced themselves and stated what agency they were affiliated with. Minutes from the December 13, 2018 meeting was read.A motion to accept the minutes was made by Patti Rodrigue and seconded by Diane Johnson.Motion Passed.

Discussion of Issues:

Lunch menu for the school children:“Is a corn dog, fruit and milk” a healthy lunch for children in school?Ms. Clifton observed this lunch at one of the schools in St. John the Baptist Parish and was very shocked of such a small unhealthy meal.Ms. Clifton would like to ask Mrs. Terry Charles, Director of Food and Nutrition Services for St. John the Baptist Parish how the meals are determined.

Diane Johnson – St. John the Baptist Parish Department of Health & Human Services handed out a brochure on Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) for persons that are in need of assistance with filling out their income tax.The services are free and there are several locations of where this service is being held.In St. John the Baptist Parish the service is being held at the St. John Department of Health & Human Services, 128 Central Avenue, Reserve, LA 70084 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.These services are done by Appointments Only. Please call 985-536-4955 if you need help.

Mrs. Johnson also informed the group of a grass cutting program for disabled and seniors in the parish.If interested or have questions, please call the Department of Health & Human Services at 985-536-4955.

A Resource Guide was given to the group of all the things planned and accomplished in St. John the Baptist Parish.

Mrs. Johnson also handed out a free Duct Sealing Program, if anyone is interested in having this service done at their home or business.The company is PCI (Public Construction Inc.) Electric, Heating & Air and their phone number is 985-345-1298.

The Department of Health & Human Services still have the LA Heat program where they have funds for paying low energy bills for people in St. John the Baptist Parish.

The summer feeding program starts in June for the children in St. John the Baptist Parish.Information will be coming out soon.

A questions was asked if Banks in St. John the Baptist Parish have Financial Literacy programs?Mrs. Bambi with Catholic Charities usually have a workshop with Financial Literacy for the Head Start parents.Ms. Clifton will see if she can get Mrs. Bambi to schedule a Financial Literacy workshop within the next couple of months.

Mr. Artis Williams chimed in on several of the programs that the Department of Health & Human Services offered.

Mrs. Shelia Baloney reported that they are excepting applications for 3 and 4 year olds for the coming year in Head Start.She also reported that they are getting ready for the Federal audit the week of May 6- 10, 2019.They have a total of 250 students registered in Head Start.

Mrs. Ashanti Johnson, R.N. reported that she is following up with the parents of the student that are getting medical and dental completed before the end of the school year.

Mr. William Magee -- South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority works at the Behavioral Health Center in LaPlace and reported that Ms. Clifton presents nutrition classes to the clients once a month and that there is also a registered dietitian that comes also to do nutrition classes.Mr. Magee stated that he will be attending the meeting.

Mrs. Patti Rodrigue asked for volunteers to judge 4-H Achievement Day at East St. John High School being held on Friday, April 12, 2019 from 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Mr. Joe Carr passed around a news article by Mackie Shoestone, a Researcher, which talked about walnuts helping with depression.Mr. Carr also passed around a Nutrition Action magazine that he receives and is donating the monthly magazines to the library for their reference resource center.

Household Hazard Collection Day is schedule for May 4, 2019 at New Wine Fellowship Center from 9:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Aviation Day for children is scheduled in April, 2019.Please watch the announcement for the date and time.

St. John the Baptist Parish is having an Easter Egg Hunt again this year for the children on the East and West side of the river.Date and time to be announced later.

The next meeting to be announced at a later date.

Motion to adjourn made by Patti Rodrigue and seconded by Artis Williams.

Meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.