Willie Boykins Sr
March 15, 2012School board consolidation stricken down
March 21, 2012
Low-income families are concerned that a tool designed to keep their children interested in school and off the streets might be taken away. They want legislators to hear their case as they praise one government program gone right.
Ellender High School student Eltiana Green, 17, needed help with biology. She sought tutoring provided through Le Cirque, and after two days began understanding material that had previously confused her.
Earl Hartman said his 11-year-old son, Kobe, had both academic and behavioral problems, but after-school assistance from Le Cirque resulted in him being more settled with improved grades.
“They help me learn a lot,” third grade honor roll student Daeyanna Newton said.
These and other endorsements come from working parents and children that live in Houma’s Senator Circle public housing neighborhood for a program funded through the South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority and administered by the Nicholls State University Family Services Center.
Le Cirque is a year-round program that offers help with academics, training in behavioral skills and recreation. Parents contend it is needed to keep their children out of trouble and headed on a productive path.
Le Cirque is also subject to state budget cuts.
Case Manager Leticia Washington administers Le Cirque. She said the effort began in 2006 and was originally designed to address mental health and behavioral issues among children.
More than five years later, the living skills program evolved into a structured community center for approximately 100 children ages 4 through 17.
“We’ve been told there are going to be cuts, but we don’t know what they are,” Washington said. “A lot of these kids get off the school bus and come straight here. They don’t even go home first. They and their parents have come to rely on us.”
Washington said state-funded centers like Le Cirque should not be viewed as unnecessary entitlements, but opportunities for families that would not be able to financially handle the services they offer.
“These parents may not be able to afford dance lessons after school, but they know their kids will come here and get recreation in a safe environment,” Washington said. “These parents may not be able to afford private tutoring, but their children can come here and get assistance.”
Washington also voiced concern for Nicholls State University family and consumer science students who make use of Le Cirque as a training lab, and would lose this learning resource if the state budget mandates its closure.
Terrebonne Parish Dist. 1 Councilman John Navy has investigated hits to social services. He views Le Cirque as an asset and wants to know how it might be saved.
Navy called for an explanation of government intentions and invited South Central Louisiana Human Service Authority Executive Director Lisa Schilling to speak to the parish council.
Schilling appeared before the council last Wednesday and offered an overview of her agency, which was established as a local governing entity to oversee and administer mental health, developmental disability and addictive disorder cases filed through the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.
The state administrator did not specify what areas of her budget might be cut, but said the $25.5 million request for fiscal year 2012-13 represents a 1.2 percent increase from one year earlier. Material provided by Shilling also revealed that the budget reflects a 9.8 percent reduction in services from last year.
Schilling said that in order for Le Cirque to survive, NSU would have to register as a contract provider through DHH Magellan Health Services. “Magellan will choose whom they will contract with,” she said.
“We want to try to get information and find out exactly what kind of cuts there will be that will affect our residents,” Navy told Schilling.
“[Cuts will be] an ongoing process,” she responded.
Navy said Terrebonne Parish pays approximately $400,000 a year to support the SCLHSA. He voiced remorse of not knowing where that money is going or if it is being spent on Terrebonne Parish residents.
“I am still concerned,” Navy said following Schilling’s public comments. “I still need to understand exactly what is going to be cut and what services are going to be disrupted, altered or changed. We are still unclear on that.”
Residents at Senator Circle want direct answers as well, and wonder what they can do to make their case known.
Shahavaneeke Williams said she was ready to drop out of high school before she got involved in Le Cirque. Now as an adult she recognizes the benefits she and others have gained. “These people change children’s lives,” she said. “I’m a witness to that.”
Parents at Senator Circle said they understand the challenges teachers face. They understand the challenges of a strained state budget. They also understand their own limitations that make Le Cirque a valuable resource.
Ellender student Green said Le Cirque not only helps her academically, but encourages her to be a positive person. She made a C on her biology exam and wants to do even better next time. “It helps you believe in yourself,” she said.
“They do a lot for our children,” concerned parent Hartman said of Le Cirque. “We can’t afford to lose them.”
Nichols State University student Jackie White helps fourth grade student Kentavion Theodore with his homework through the Le Crique program at Senator Circle in Houma. If expected state budget cuts hit the South Central Louisiana Human Service Authority scholars from grade school through college would miss out on what has become a valuable setting for their educational experience.
