Southwest Louisiana Youth Foundation asks Calcasieu Parish School Board for funding to expand school prevention programs
April 15, 2026 | Calcasieu Parish, School Boards, Louisiana
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The Southwest Louisiana Youth Foundation asked the Calcasieu Parish School Board on April 14 to help fund an expanded school-based prevention program so the nonprofit can cover every high school in the parish.
Laura Perry, representing the Southwest Louisiana Youth Foundation, told the board the organization has been working in parish schools since 2017 and delivers mandated health and safety topics required under Aaron’s Law. Perry said the program reached 2,365 students in 2025 across 563 sessions in 67 classrooms and requested financial support so the nonprofit could convert a part‑time facilitator to full time to cover additional schools.
The ask was presented in two amounts during the discussion. Perry initially described a $38,000 funding need to grow staffing and classroom coverage. District staff later framed the operational request as approximately $30,000 a year to convert the part‑time position to full time and provide stable coverage for all high schools.
District staff described the Foundation as an established partner and recommended budgeting a recurring amount so schools would not have to rely on annual fundraising to secure programming. "These folks have been great partners with us," a district speaker said, noting the group pivoted when state mandates changed and that paying for a full‑time facilitator would ensure consistent coverage.
Board members asked logistical questions about contract length and fundraising. Perry said the nonprofit writes grants, runs fundraisers and would accept a multiyear contract; staff said they could propose two‑ or three‑year contract terms. After discussion, a board member moved to accept the staff recommendation and asked staff to return with contract terms and details; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
Next steps: district staff will draft contract terms for the board to review at a future meeting before any funding is committed.
Laura Perry, representing the Southwest Louisiana Youth Foundation, told the board the organization has been working in parish schools since 2017 and delivers mandated health and safety topics required under Aaron’s Law. Perry said the program reached 2,365 students in 2025 across 563 sessions in 67 classrooms and requested financial support so the nonprofit could convert a part‑time facilitator to full time to cover additional schools.
The ask was presented in two amounts during the discussion. Perry initially described a $38,000 funding need to grow staffing and classroom coverage. District staff later framed the operational request as approximately $30,000 a year to convert the part‑time position to full time and provide stable coverage for all high schools.
District staff described the Foundation as an established partner and recommended budgeting a recurring amount so schools would not have to rely on annual fundraising to secure programming. "These folks have been great partners with us," a district speaker said, noting the group pivoted when state mandates changed and that paying for a full‑time facilitator would ensure consistent coverage.
Board members asked logistical questions about contract length and fundraising. Perry said the nonprofit writes grants, runs fundraisers and would accept a multiyear contract; staff said they could propose two‑ or three‑year contract terms. After discussion, a board member moved to accept the staff recommendation and asked staff to return with contract terms and details; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
Next steps: district staff will draft contract terms for the board to review at a future meeting before any funding is committed.
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