The 2020-21 academic year called for innovative approaches to almost everything, including college recruiting.

Student recruiters enjoy time out for tech.  For Louisiana Tech University, those inventive recruitment techniques – including virtual tours and online events – yielded a larger class of first-time freshmen than in 2020. These students are also among the most college-ready group of freshmen, with an average 24.7 ACT score.

Louisiana Tech’s total enrollment for the 2021-22 academic year is 11,173, down only 24 students from the 2020-21 academic year. Undergraduate enrollment is up 103 students from the same time last year, and retention of current students stands at a state-leading 80 percent.

“Our Admissions staff has done an outstanding job in the past year to maintain connections to prospective students and help them with any challenges they might encounter with a completely different college-search process,” said Dr. Les Guice, Louisiana Tech President. “We have also found that our students are searching for a university that will allow them to create ‘normal’ experiences and connections in the wake of a year that was anything but normal.”

Early in the Fall 2021 recruitment cycle, Tech’s Admissions Office began using live broadcasts on Instagram to answer questions from prospective students and providing campus information videos for high school counselors to share with their students. Video tours for each of the University’s colleges were compiled, and student recruiters, who usually conduct in-person tours, began writing personal letters to each prospective student. Recruitment professionals even sent personalized videos to prospective students to show them the power of joining the Tech Family.

“This year taught all of us about the importance of relationships, and I believe the strength with which our Admissions team has always nurtured those relationships with students and partnerships with schools was shown in this past year,” Guice said.

Dual enrollment was up nearly 200 students from the same time last year, as an increasing number of students continued working to earn college credit while still in high school. Louisiana Tech has the fastest time to degree, 4.1 years, of all public universities in the State of Louisiana.

Tech’s top five majors for 2021-22 are Mechanical Engineering, Biology, Computer Science, Kinesiology and Health Science, and Nursing.

Have you hung out at Antoon’s lately? Maybe you should check it out and see what you’ve been missing! We sat down with Antoon’s staff to get an update on what’s been going on at everyone’s favorite bar.

Your patio is the perfect spot for any event, how do customers go about renting your patio?

The patio is an addition we added to Antoon’s when we purchased it in 2021. It is 2,000 square feet of covered patio with an outside bar. We rent the patio for different functions including all types of parties. We have a bandstand should you require one, large stereo speakers with a microphone and games such as corn hole, ring on a string and others. We have heaters, tables for food and other amenities.

Dates for the patio are filling up fast for the Christmas season. This is a perfect location for company parties, family gatherings, and Christmas parties. Contact Carolyn Benefield at 318-554-8089 to book an event.

“Toons Tuesday” was a staple for Antoon’s pre-COVID, are you planning to reinstate “Toons Tuesday”? If so, what will make it unique?

Antoon’s was closed for 20 months due to Covid. We have brought back “Toon’s Tuesday,” which the students at NSU started. They were looking for a place to hang out and socialize later in the evening. It is still going on today. We offer drink specials and entertainment on the patio. Come join the fun.

Do you offer specials for women?

Antoon’s is a great place for ladies to visit and unwind. Thursday evening is our designated “Lady’s Night.” We offer drink specials from 5-10 pm, especially for our ladies.

I have heard about Antoon’s Olympics, tell me more about what it entails and how to sign up?

The Antoon’s Olympics is a weekend established for the competitive-minded crowd. We had the inaugural Summer games this July and will have the Fall games soon. It was an overwhelming success. The teams are four-person teams. All compete in the same four to five games for a grand prize, bragging rights, and their names on a plaque. It is so competitive that 12 seconds separated the top three teams during the Summer games. We try to limit the number of teams to fifteen due to the number of games. All are skill games such as bottle up, cup flip, corn hole, ring on a string and a water cup relay were very comical. Check our Facebook page – Antoons- to see some of the games. The Fall games will look a little different but still just as competitive.

Do you offer a Happy Hour?

We have Happy Hour on Tuesday from 5 – 8 pm. In December we will be expanding it to every weekday from 5-8 pm. Happy Hour consists of reduced beer and cocktail pricing. We cater to the adult crowd from 4- 8 pm. College students usually come in after 9 pm. We are extremely pleased to be able to provide a social setting for two very different customer groups on the same day at the same location. Most places don’t have that versatility.

I know you have a great alcohol selection; do you have food available for consumers as well?

We have a food trailer on site at Antoon’s. The menu will rotate but mainstays are hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches and tacos, boudin tacos, corn dogs, and fries. Jambalaya, chicken dumplings, all sorts of heated deli-style sandwiches, red beans, and rice, smothered pork chops and other offerings rotate during the week. We haven’t found anyone that has been disappointed. The trailer is open most nights usually from 8 pm until after midnight.

Other than Toons Tuesday and Ladies Night, what themed/special nights do you offer?

Our next project is to offer Karaoke on the Patio. Our customers have asked for Karaoke and we will kick it off very soon.

POSITION: INFANT/TODDLER PARAPROFESSIONAL (6 weeks – 24 months)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or equivalent is required
• Passed the Educational Testing Service (ETS) Para-Pro Assessment with a score of at least a 450; or
• Complete two years of full-time study (60 semester credit hours) from a state-approved or regionally accredited institution of higher education; or
• Earned an Associate Degree in the field of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science degree from a state-approved or regionally accredited institution of higher education.

SALARY: According to NPSB salary schedule

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 9 Months

DEADLINE: Friday, December 9, 2022;4:00 p.m.

WHERE TO APPLY:
Linda G. Page, Director of Personnel
Natchitoches Parish School Board
P. O. Box 16
Natchitoches, LA 71458-0016
Phone: (318) 352-2358
Fax: (318) 352-8138

APPLICATIONS: Application packet should consist of a letter of application, resume’, diploma or transcript, and two letters of reference. 

EOE

Ivory Jean Davis-Oliphant was born to the late Ed Davis, Jr. and Ophelia Cross Davis in Natchitoches, LA on April 14, 1951. Ivory Jean accepted Christ at an early age under the leadership of Rev. P.M. Gillie at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Natchez, LA. She later became affiliated with Goodwill Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Brian Small.

Ivory Jean attended St. Matthew High School and was a proud graduate of the class of 1969. She worked in the school food service industry for Natchitoches Parish and retired after more than 28 years of service. Ivory Jean loved to cook, go fishing and visit with family, especially her grandchildren and great-granddaughter. By far, her favorite past-times were playing cards and trying her luck at the casino.

As a teenager, Ivory Jean met the love of her life and married Odell Oliphant on July 17, 1971. To this union three children were born – Corey, Deidre and Nicholas.

Ivory Jean was called to eternal rest on Nov. 23, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Ophelia Davis; son Corey; brothers Leeman, Hyman, Alfred; and sister, Lizzie.

She leaves to cherish her memory, husband Odell Oliphant; daughter Deidre Oliphant of Natchitoches and son Nicholas Oliphant of Natchitoches; sisters Queen Ann Lucas and Mary Casson of Natchitoches, Rosetta Gay (Joseph) of Natchitoches, Daisy Campbell of Houston; brothers Alton Davis (Lynn) of Houston, Nathaniel Davis (Debra) of California, Raymond Davis (Dorice) of Houston, seven grandchildren – Deontay, Tiara, DJ, Raionna, Jacobi, Christian, Nicholas, Jr., and Ariah; and one great-granddaughter – Winter, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Viewing of her remains will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, followed by a celebration of her life at
11 a.m. at Goodwill Baptist Church, 1312 Holmes St. in Natchitoches, LA.

Time for our annual Best Books of the Year list. Read a lot of good books but failed to score a five-star read, unlike last year when I couldn’t turn around without running into something that hit me just right. 

So it goes in the Reading World. You win some, you lose some, but you show up and read and if a book’s no good, chunk it and, guilt-free, pick up another one. 

Still, much enjoyment this year from reading, and hopefully you will get a charge out of at least one or two of the titles below, or something will jog your memory and help you pick out a just-right Christmas gift for someone.  

If nothing else, we can be grateful we are past all the pandemic-related bestsellers like LOCKDOWN!: Your Place or Mine?, or everyone’s least-favorite companion reads, Why Masks Work and the sequel, Why Masks Haven’t Even Ever THOUGHT About Working, Ever Ever Never. 

Mercy on all that … And now on to the bookmobile. 

Batting leadoff is All About Me! My Remarkable Life in Show Business, by Mel Brooks, my favorite of a lot of biographies. Others that were really good, if you’re interested in these people, are The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man by Paul Newman, A Life in Parts by actor Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Home Work by Julie Andrews (had a crush on her since Mary Poppins as I was an impressionable youngster), Miracle and Wonder by Malcolm Gladwell about singer-songwriter-stud Paul Simon (you have to listen to this one for the conversations with Simon and his occasional singing), My House of Memories by Merle Haggard because, well, Merle Haggard, and finally, Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story, by Rick Bragg. 

A quick aside about Jerry Lee Lewis: he was nothing short of a keyboard genius. Any piano player from Elton John to Ray Stevens will tell you that nobody should be able to play that fast and that well and sing at the same time. A prodigy and bona-fide genius. 

More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell was released in 1987 and reads as a short (128 pages) research document about the historical Jesus and is much worth your time if, like me, you’d missed it all these years. 

Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli by Mark Seal is about the “tumultuous” making of The Godfather and was my second-favorite book of the year. If you like the movie, you’ll enjoy it. How the picture got made is semi-miraculous.  

Speaking of movies, The Church of Baseball by Ron Shelton is about the making of Bull Durham, which he wrote and directed; it’s a baseball thing. 

Razor Girl by Carl Hiaasen is funny and good, as you’d expect from Carl Hiaasen. Speaking of fiction, if you’ve never read The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson or The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells, as I hadn’t until this year, you could probably skip those. Didn’t happen for me. But … it’s always wise to consider the similar themes of those two books, which is how the bad part of our nature, which is the main part, runs wild if unchecked, even if that wasn’t our intention. 

Churchill’s Band of Brothers by Damien Lewis was good but a better suggestion would be Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose, which I’ve read three times, about E Company with the 101^st in World War II. The British equivalent is interesting but not nearly as rich. 

Also, you will feel a lot better after reading either Everybody Always or Love Does by Bob Goff, or both. Check him out if you haven’t already. 

Books in my on-deck circle for 2023 include You Are Looking Live! How the NFL Today Revolutionized Sports Broadcasting, by Rich Podolsky, When the Garden was Eden by Harvey Araton, about the glory days of the New York Knicks (they were good and fun when I was a boy, believe it or not), Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley because I haven’t read him and have meant to, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, and Prayer by Tim Keller because I really like Tim Keller and because you need the prayers and Lord knows I need the practice. 

Let me know if you come across anything good. Read on! 

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu 

The Goldonna community was very saddened by the loss of Mr. Bud Garner, father of School Board Member, Eugene Garner. He was a supporter of the community for many years and he will be dearly missed by everyone. Please continue to keep his family in your prayers.

The Native American Santa made a joyous visit to the community this past weekend. He was inundated with grateful children who enjoyed taking photos with him, talking with him and of course left with a Christmas present. Even though it was a rainy landing for Santa’s Sleigh it was a great turnout.

Goldonna Elementary Junior High Students returned from Thanksgiving break and hit the ground running with lots to accomplish before Christmas Break. The students will be attending the NSU Christmas Gala on December 1st. There is a new club called “the Good News Club” that will be forming soon. They are still collecting non-perishable food items for the Central Louisiana Food Bank and they are welcoming all donations for that endeavor.

The school will also be presenting a Christmas Program on Thursday, December 15th at 6:00pm. Parent Teacher Conference will be held on Tuesday, December 20th from 3:30pm to 6:00pm.

Mrs. Aly Erikson, ELA Specialist at the Natchitoches Parish School Board, presented a model WIN lesson at Goldonna Elementary on Nov. 29. In the lesson, Mrs. Erikson taught a wonderful group of young students how to break down words by using individual letter sounds. The students eagerly participated in the lesson and had a great time learning!

Pictured with Mrs. Aly Erikson: James, CJ, Natalie, Declan, and Lilley.

The Village of Goldonna is a little over a week away from the big Christmas event! The community has been working hard organizing the festival to make it one of the biggest yet. It is not too late to get involved.

Goldonna Christmas in the Park Committee is still seeking donations and volunteers for the Festival that will take place on Friday, December 9th. Pictures with Santa will take place at 4:00pm until 5:30pm. The parade will begin at 6:00pm with lineup beginning at the School. The fireworks show will start at 8:00. There will be refreshment served. If you have a business who would like to sponsor please reach out to Mayor Smith or one of the councilmen.

If you have news to share please email Reba Phelps at jreba.phelps@gmail.com

Northwestern State University’s Chapter of Blue Key Honor Society inducted 29 new members and recognized new officers.  Blue Key Honor Society is a premier honor society that recognizes students at institutions of higher education for balanced and all-around excellence in scholarship, leadership and service.  Blue Key Honor Society bases its eligibility for membership on all-around leadership and integrity in student life, high scholastic achievement and service to others.

New Officers are Blake Chustz, president; Jesus Bravo, vice president;

Koral Richard, secretary; Adreanna Thrift, treasurer, and Mary Scruggs, volunteer coordinator.

NSU’s Blue Key chapter was established in 1959.  Chapter activities include flower sales at graduation and service to the NSU campus and Natchitoches community.  The chapter will be participating in the KSLA-TV toy drive December 8 and is currently making plans to collaborate with other honor societies on campus to host Honors Week in the spring.

In addition to recognizing new members, the chapter voted to establish the Jerry Pierce Service Award, which will be presented in the spring.

Inductees, listed by hometown, are as follows:

Baton Rouge – Ebenezer Robert Aggrey, Jalivia Kristina Johnson

Bossier City – Brittany Ann Charchio, Jordan Mckenzie Lacy Richardson

Denham Springs — Abigail Grace Whitam

Haughton – James Austin Grooms, Nicholas Knotts

Houma – Madson Claire Anderson

Joaquin, Texas – Jesus Bravo

Keithville – Ashley Rose Eubanks

Lafayette – Koral Richard

Mansfield – Ar’Nijah Gabrielle Bradley

Marksville — Makenzie Grace Scroggs

Natchitoches – Jazzare Burrell, Blake Scott Fowler, Mary Anna Scruggs

New Orleans – Naysia Nicol Brunswick Jones

New Roads – Blake Michael Chustz

Pineville – Cady Beth Brown, Amber Michelle Ford

Pollock – Chloe Laran Davis

Shreveport – Taylor Dixon, Kira Nicole Presley, Amyah Washington, Kacy Elleace Young

Vivian – Natalee Cook

Waxahachie, Texas — McKenzie Shae Ryer

West Monroe — Adreanna Leigh Thrift

Zwolle – Hana Micheely Lewis

Pictured: NSU’s chapter of Blue Key Honors Society recognized incoming officers and new members during a program Nov. 28.  On the front row from left are Scott Fowler, Amber Ford, Ashley Eubanks, Taylor Dixon Chloe Davis, Natalee Cook, Blake Chustz, president; Brittany Charchio, Jazzare Burrell, Jesus Bravo, vice president; Ar’Nijah Bradley and Ebenezer Aggrey. On the back row are Kacy Young, Abigail Whitam, Amyah Washington, Adreanna Thrift, treasurer; Mary Scruggs, volunteer coordinator; Jordan Richardson, Koral Richard, secretary; Kira Presley, Nick Knotts, Jalivia Johnson and Austin Grooms

Join Cane River Creole National Historical Park on Wednesday, Dec. 7, as you engage all your senses on this special one-hour guided walking tour of historic Magnolia Plantation by full moonlight. A park ranger will be sharing the history of the plantation and its people in a setting few ever experience!  

This FREE program will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m. Reservations are required, as space is limited to 20 participants. To register, please call 318-352-0383 x316. The tour will be outdoors, will cover about a half mile over uneven and unpaved ground, and is weather dependent. If the weather appears dubious or rainy on the evening of December 7, please check the park’s Facebook page or call 318-663-7299 to learn if the program will be rescheduled for December 14. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for weather and walking conditions.  

Come experience your park after dark! Magnolia Plantation is located at 5549 Highway 119, Derry/Cloutierville, LA. Due to a road closure Magnolia Plantation can only be reached from the southern end of Highway 119 via LA Highway 1. 

The grounds of Oakland and Magnolia Plantations are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nearly 80 original buildings remain, many open for self-guided tours including several that are historically furnished from Wednesday through Sunday. Park staff conducts tours of the plantation grounds daily Wednesday through Sunday. In addition, the park offers a cell phone tour. The Oakland Main House is open for self-guided tours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Magnolia Main House is privately owned and is not open to the public. For more information, please visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/cari, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/canerivercreoleNPS or call the park at 318-352-0383, ext. 316.   

Goldonna – Troopers assigned to Louisiana State Police Troop E began investigating a one-vehicle fatality crash on Hwy. 156, just east of Black Jack Road on Nov. 28 just before 8 pm.  This crash claimed the life of 33-year-old Curtis Johnson of Natchitoches, who was not wearing a seat.

The initial investigation revealed a 2019 Ford F-150, driven by Johnson, was traveling west on LA Hwy 156 at a high rate of speed. For reasons still under investigation, he exited the roadway then crossed LA Hwy 156 and exited the roadway, where he struck a tree. 

Johnson, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries.  He was pronounced dead on the scene by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner. 

Impairment is suspected to be a factor in this crash.  Routine toxicology samples were taken and submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

Time and time again, Troopers witness preventable motor vehicle crashes. Impairment and lack of seat belt usage are primary causes of crashes across the state of Louisiana. Louisiana State Police urge motorists to have a plan in place that includes a designated driver when consuming alcohol. Alcohol can impair visual ability, alter the sense of time and space, impair fine motor skills, and decrease reaction times. Alcohol can begin to impair a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle after just one drink. Please choose not to drive impaired or ride with an impaired driver, and always buckle up.

In 2022, Troop E has investigated 51 fatal crashes, resulting in 53 deaths.

All Northwestern State University campuses closed at noon on Nov. 29 in advance of the threat of severe weather.  All classes and events will be cancelled or postponed. 

Hazardous weather is expected for south central and southwest Arkansas and north central Louisiana, northwest Louisiana, with possibly dangerous road conditions, high winds and power outages. 

Administrators will continue to monitor weather condition over the next several hours. Updates will be posted on all of NSU’s social media channels and at www.nsula.edu. 

(Natchitoches)-On Saturday evening, November 26, 2022 shortly after 11:00pm, Detectives with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau were requested by Natchitoches Police to investigate a homicide by shooting in the City of Natchitoches according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

At approximately 10:39pm, Natchitoches Police responded to NATCOM 911 Center reports of “shots fired” in the area of Grace and Berry Avenues in Natchitoches.

Responding units arrived on scene finding one person lying on the edge of the road suffering from a life threatening gunshot wound and learned that another victim suffering from a gunshot wound had been transported by private vehicle to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

The scene was taped off and secured by Natchitoches Police.

The shooting resulted in the death of 19-year-old Rodjay Jaheim Stackhouse of Natchitoches, La.

Stackhouse was pronounced dead at the scene by Natchitoches Parish Assistant Coroner Steven Clanton.

The body has been transported to Shreveport for an autopsy.

A 20-year-old Natchitoches man suffering from a non-life threatening gunshot wound was treated at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center.

Five detectives assigned to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene.

NPSO Detectives were briefed and learned that suspects involved in the shooting fled the scene.

Detectives spent most of the night processing the crime scene, photographing and collecting evidence and speaking with possible witnesses and residents in the area.

Detectives say multiple empty bullet casings were collected at the crime scene, however, no motive for the shooting has been established at this time.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

Natchitoches Police requested the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office investigate the shooting to protect the integrity of the investigation because the victim is related to NPD employees.

NPSO Major Reginald Turner said “as we continue to investigate recent gun violence and this senseless murder, we ask the community to pull together, provide us with information and help us from a public safety standpoint to solve this case and other unsolved cases in Natchitoches Parish.”

Sheriff Stuart Wright, Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie Williams and Natchitoches Police Chief Nikeo Collins extend their condolences to family and friends of Rodjay Jaheim Stackhouse.

If you have any information regarding this homicide, please contact the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division. Your information will remain confidential.

Case Agent:
Detective Lt. J. Byles
NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau
318-357-7830

You can also report a tip anonymously by downloading the P3 Tips app on your smart phone or by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388. All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $2,000 for the

The Natchitoches City Council held a brief meeting Monday night, Nov. 28, which included the presentation of this year’s Miss Merry Christmas and her Christmas Belles.

Miss Merry Christmas – Emma Rose Giddens

Christmas Belles – Bailey Ebarb, Farrah Murchison, Natalie Molina, Amia Brown, Jesse Foshee, and BethAnne Methvin

ORDINANCES –  FINAL:

Award The Bid For Wastewater Collection System Rehabilitation, Grand Ecore And Mill Street Lift Station Project, LDEQ-CWSRF (Bid No. 0646)

Enter Into A Memorandum Of Understanding With The Office Of The Marshal Of The City Of Natchitoches Concerning The Ticketing Of Movables That Are A Danger To Public Health And Welfare, Approving The Terms Thereof And Otherwise Providing With Respect Thereto.

Approve The Terms And Form Of A Cooperative Endeavor Agreement Between The City Of Natchitoches And The Natchitoches Parish School Board Authorizing The Mayor To Execute The Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) Between The City Of Natchitoches And The Natchitoches Parish School Board Which Will Provide For Terms To Support Additional Employees In The City And Parish.

Designate Funds From The American Rescue Plan To Remove And Dispose Of Certain Movables In The City Of Natchitoches That Are A Danger To Public Health And Welfare And To Otherwise Provide With Respect Thereto.

Amend The 2022-2023 Budget To Reflect Additional Revenues And Expenditures.

RESOLUTIONS:

Execute Change Order No. 3 To The Contract Between The City Of Natchitoches And Williams Equipment Services, LLC, For FY 2021-22 Phase 1 Street Rehabilitation (Bid No. 0641)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The next scheduled City Council meeting will be Monday, December 12, 2022.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is marking American Diabetes Month this November to draw attention to a condition that takes a major toll on our state, both health-wise and financially.

Diabetes affects an estimated 13.6% of Louisiana residents, much higher than the the national average of 10.6%. For reference, the number of people in Louisiana who have diabetes could fill the Superdome 13 times.

Also, about 1 in 3 Louisiana residents are pre-diabetic, with levels of blood sugar that are higher than normal, according to 2017 estimates by the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Diabetes is largely a preventable condition. That is why LDH’s Well-Ahead program, which is responsible for chronic disease management and prevention and improving healthcare access, is urging Louisianans aged 35 to 70 years found to be overweight or obese to get screened for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes this month. Well-Ahead can help connect you with screening and prevention resources here.

As with many chronic conditions, the burden of diabetes is not shared equally across racial lines. Black adults are at least 45% more likely to have diabetes compared to all other races and ethnicities in Louisiana. Adults in rural Louisiana are also 16% more likely to have diabetes when compared to adults in urban areas.

Complications of diabetes can be serious, including heart disease, stroke, amputation, end-stage kidney disease, blindness, and in extreme cases, death.

According to the ADA, in Louisiana, diagnosed diabetes treatments cost an estimated $5.7 billion each year.

Through the FY22 LDH business plan, the Department has taken innovative approaches to help thousands of Louisiana residents better control their diabetes, or even avoid type 2 diabetes altogether.

Louisiana’s Medicaid program exceeded the FY22 business plan goal of helping 2,300 more Medicaid members control their diabetes over calendar year 2021. That means thousands of Louisiana residents have greater opportunities to lead longer, more abundant and healthier lives.

Over the past year, Well-Ahead has led a creative strategy to reach more Louisianans with important information and screenings, and connect them with necessary care for both diabetes and high blood pressure.

The Well-Ahead program is partnering with six community sites throughout Louisiana to offer programs to assist residents with diabetes prevention and connect those at risk with vital resources.

Well-Ahead connects our partnering sites, which include community hubs like barber shops and gyms, with the training and resources needed to help community members receive diabetes prevention education.

The diabetes prevention sites offer CDC-recognized programs created through the National Diabetes Prevention Program to assist residents with prediabetic diagnoses to adopt achievable realistic lifestyle changes to avoid type 2 diabetes.

This community-based approach is key in reaching residents who may not regularly visit a doctor or enjoy reliable access to preventative care.

LDH is building on that foundation through our FY23 Business Plan. This year, Well-Ahead will work with our established sites and recruit additional community partners to help increase the number of residents enrolled in Diabetes Prevention Programs.

To find out more about Well-Ahead’s diabetes programming, go to WellAheadLA.com

The Rapides Foundation recently awarded four grants totaling $1,875,260 to help meet the healthcare workforce needs of employers in Central Louisiana. Grants were awarded to the following postsecondary institutions serving students in the Foundation’s service area: Louisiana State University Eunice, Northwestern State University, Louisiana State University of Alexandria and Central Louisiana Technical Community College.

The multi-year grants were awarded through the Foundation’s Healthcare Occupations Program, which seeks to increase the number of healthcare graduates prepared to meet the basic level of licensure or certification required by employers for initial hire of high-demand healthcare occupations.

“The Healthcare Occupations Program grant is one of the ways the Foundation is addressing the shortage of qualified healthcare professionals, which is often cited as one of the main barriers to people receiving healthcare services,” said Joe Rosier, President and CEO of The Rapides Foundation. “By funding grants in this area, we hope to increase the number of health professionals who graduate and are then able to provide critical healthcare services within our region.”

The grant supports nonprofit, accredited colleges and universities to add and expand current healthcare program offerings and concentrations to meet the critical workforce needs of local employers, and it specifically addresses shortages in the three occupational fields of nursing, behavioral health and allied health.

The Rapides Foundation first offered the Healthcare Occupations Program Grant funding opportunity in 2016 as a result of its analysis of the healthcare workforce landscape in the region and awarded six grants totaling $2.1 million. After updating its healthcare workforce analysis in 2021, the funding opportunity was opened again and in February 2022 the Foundation’s Board of Trustees awarded seven grants totaling $3.4 million. The four recent grants were awarded in May and September and bring the total amount of grant funding to $7.4 million.

The following Healthcare Occupations Program grants were awarded:

Central Louisiana Technical Community College was awarded a $540,000 grant in September to collaborate with Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) to expand Practical Nursing programs throughout Central Louisiana. BPCC will expand the LPN program in Natchitoches to add an additional annual cohort of students. CLTCC will leverage this funding with a match from the LCTCS Rapid Response Program to expand the LPN program at the Rod Brady campus in Jena. The expansion will include funding to add an additional cohort of students annually and to update their nursing computer lab. These updates are an integral part in the delivery of online nursing education resources, computerized testing including preparation for NCLEX-Practical Nursing examination and healthcare career readiness.

Louisiana State University of Alexandria was awarded a grant in the amount of $266,662 in September to address the critical nursing shortage in Central Louisiana by increasing the capacity of its LPN to Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program track. The funding will allow LSUA’s School of Nursing to hire additional adjunct clinical instructors and provide additional work contracts for existing positions to increase available clinical admissions and support to the LPN to ASN program. This program will produce up to 40 new ASN graduates annually.

Louisiana State University Eunice was awarded a $348,998 grant in May to collaborate with LSUA and Rapides Regional Medical Center to fund Surgical Technology classes and a skills lab in AC Buchanan II Building. LSUE, which has an accredited Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology program, will use the funds to hire faculty, recruit students, train students and meet the healthcare workforce demand for the urgent and increasing need for Surgical Technologists and other high-demand professionals in Allied Health.

Northwestern State University received a $719,600 grant in September to increase the number of Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) clinical students admitted to its Alexandria campus each year by initiating a Spring clinical admission for a cohort of 20 BSN students. This enhancement is expected to result in an additional 80 BSN graduates, thereby increasing the number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses within The Rapides Foundation service area. Historically, the NSU Alexandria campus only admitted BSN clinical students in the Fall semester.

The Healthcare Occupations Program Grant is offered under the Foundation’s Healthcare Access Initiative and is in support of its mission to improve the health status of Central Louisiana. Through its Healthcare Access Initiative, the Foundation seeks to address the supply and demand gap in the healthcare workforce and builds the capacity of regional postsecondary institutions to meet healthcare workforce needs.