[Monroe, LA]— The Children’s Coalition of Northeast Louisiana is relaunching the 4th Judicial District Youth Services Planning Board (YSPB), a member-led board of leaders from across Morehouse and Ouachita Parishes dedicated to improving young people’s outcomes.
The Board’s mission is to promote accessible, culturally relevant services for the prevention, intervention, and treatment of children, youth, and families in or at-risk of entering the foster care or criminal/juvenile justice systems.
In 2005, the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana partnered with Louisiana 4th District Judge Sharon Marchman and the Ouachita and Morehouse Parish Police Juries to create the 4th Judicial District Youth Services Planning Board.
The board implemented an evidence-based parenting program for parents of justice-involved youth, addressed truancy within communities, mapped services for children, youth, parents, and families with a published services directory. The group also provided education about the need for evidence-based programs and practices and worked to increase the capacity of existing and new evidence-based programs.
The planning board met regularly until 2017 and relaunched in 2024. In its renewed efforts, the YSPB will focus on literacy, targeting third grade reading proficiency to enhance school readiness and educational outcomes, and behavioral health as it works to promote trauma-informed approaches and improving access to quality clinical care.