1. WHAT IS THE LOUIS INFANT'S CRISIS CENTER?
    The Louis Infant's Crisis Center is a center that aims to prevent child neglect and abuse by offering protective services to children through a 24 hour, 7 day a week emergency shelter. It also provides counseling to parents. It is a licensed child care center working with the Louisiana State Protective Services and Child Placement Agency and/or the parents themselves toward meeting the needs of children and their families in a crisis situation or those in imminent danger of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

    2. WHEN, WHERE AND HOW DID IT START?
    It started in 1979 in the old St. Lucy Rectory building. The building was the former rectory which was later used as a convent. The Sisters felt that, since it was the year of the child, they could live on the second floor and utilize the first floor in a program for children. Rather than duplicating other programs, they realized that a program for infants up to age 8 would fill a great need in Terrebonne Parish. A kind benefactor, a family, provided the necessary thousands to remodel and prepare the facility. It needed a complete renovation, from plumbing to painting and carpeting. The Houma Junior Auxiliary provided furnishings, drapes, baby beds, food, etc. They donated time, energy, finances and support. Without their input, the Center could not continue to grow. Each day two ladies stopped by to give a helping hand with the children, pick up the list of "needs" and to provide any immediate financial aid.

    3. WHEN DID THE CENTER OPEN?
    On July 4, 1979, we had our first request for shelter. On July 18, we had our first full-time resident. Since that time many children have found refuge with us. A child can stay for a period of 30, 60 or 105 days or longer if there are extenuating circumstances.

    4. WHAT STAFF IS PROVIDED?
    Our staff includes an administrator, an assistant, a social worker, a psychiatrist, 4 licensed practicing counselors, group and individual therapists, a registered nurse, a secretary, 3 house-keepers, 30 full-time Residential Specialists, and 10 part-time Residential Specialists. We have a contract with Tulane Child Psychiatric Hospital and a psychiatrist is appointed to treat our children here. The shifts are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. We also have "shadows" who are in a one-on-one basis with some of our "special needs" children.

    5. WHAT IS IN THE FUTURE FOR US?
    We have noticed that more and more children were classified P.D.D. It is our intention to move from shelter to a respite home for autistic children at the El Paso home. Our target date is for the fall of 2001.


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