By Gail Brigham

For The Daily News

The Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services heard a presentation from Lisa Tanner, superintendent of Bogalusa City Schools, on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 9:30 a.m. at Elizabeth Sullivan Memorial United Methodist Church.

Tanner said there has have been new hires, including a disciplinarian and high school counselor, a new grant received from Jobs After Graduation for high risk students, and demand for more accountability and expectations. Students are being encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities and there have been a culinary arts and welding classes added to the curriculum.

“You’re going to see changes from the top down,” Tanner told the Washington Parish Coalition.

The school base health center will concentrate on preventative measures to alcohol and substance abuse.

Gail Brigham, coalition coordinator, reported on involvement in the Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival, where the Parish Youth Council will have a charge station for cell phones. Materials were distributed on prescription drug abuse and underage drinking. Members of the Washington Parish Youth Coalition worked the booth for extra credit, which will go toward winning a trip to the annual Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) Conference in Washington, D.C.

A representative from Boy Scouts of America who wanted to recruit for the Bogalusa area attended the meeting Tuesday. Her contact information is Dorothy Garcia at 985-264 0878 or abitatoo@gmail.com.

The United Way will hold a parish campaign kickoff luncheon in Bogalusa with Warren Montgomery on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at noon at ESM Church and on Thursday, Oct. 5, in Franklinton with Charmaine Caccioppi at 11:30 a.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church.

Girl’s Night Out, sponsored by Our Lady of the Angels Hospital, will be held on Thursday, Oct. 5 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Maria’s Mexican restaurant in Bogalusa. Walk with a Doc, a program to encourage walking, is being held Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Goodyear Park. There were 50 registrants the first week.

ADAPT, Inc. is preparing for Red Ribbon Week in all public and private schools on Oct 23-31. When the schools in Washington Parish start the week, the theme will carry the week with: “Your Future Is Key. Stay Drug-Free!” Students will wear red and receive washable red wristbands to wear every day. Red food will be served at lunch. Classes will work on a “Your Future Is Key. Stay Drug Free” door decorating contest to be judged Thursday.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 24, with Attorney Paula Charles for Domestic Violence Month. There will be a committee meeting at 8:30 a.m. and a coalition meeting at 9:30 a.m.

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.

Gail Brigham is the treasurer of the Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services.