By Gail Brigham

For The Daily News

The Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services heard presentations from Brightside Social Services Louisiana and FEMA during a monthly meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Elizabeth Sullivan Memorial United Methodist Church. Representatives from Brightside talked about parenting classes and classes for girls in grades 6-12, which will start soon. The new office is located at 311 Louisiana Avenue in Bogalusa. Those who qualify with Medicaid may be eligible to receive services.

Any adult who meets the eligibility criteria listed below will be able to enroll in Medicaid under the expansion:

• Aged 19 to 64 years old.

• Has a household income less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level.

• Doesn’t already qualify for Medicaid or Medicare.

• Must meet citizenship requirement.

Merlin Duke reported on a group from University United Methodist Church in San Antonio who will be in Bogalusa to do small improvements to homes such as ramps, gutter clean out and screen repair on July 15 and will stay for one week. Interested homeowners should contact ESM United Methodist Church in Bogalusa to schedule repairs.

A FEMA representative talked briefly about a Community Block grant to help with recovery. The grant will include those in our area affected by April and August flooding.

Charlette Fornea, executive director of ADAPT, reported on the Drug Free Communities grant, which has been renewed for the third year.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. at ESM United Methodist Church in Bogalusa, with a preliminary committee meeting at 8:30 a.m. Light refreshments will be served.

The coalition involves people who represent flood recovery, business, civic groups, health care professionals, law enforcement, media, parents, faith organizations, schools, state government agencies, substance abuse organizations, youth and youth-serving organizations.  The coalition is open to all.

To find out more about the Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services, visit online at wpchs.weebly.com or like the coalition on Facebook at WPCHS. Find and follow the coalition on Twitter at twitter.com/WPCoalitionHS, or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/adaptincorporated.