DEPARTMENT MENU

Family Resource Center

The Nicholls State University – Family Resource Center, located on campus, offers direct support and assistance to community residents through referrals, professional researched information, and self-help materials.

– A toll free telephone line provides confidential and anonymous assistance for family, child, crisis and emergency issues.  The consultation typically relates to a variety of family problems such as financial support, childcare, parenting, disability, addiction, mental health, counseling services, homebound care and other crises situations.

– A community resource directory is published annually to assist human service professionals and families locate services and access the human service system.  The extensive directory offers referral information about community services and programs.  Referral listings include resources in Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, and Terrebonne Parishes, as well as, listings across the state.

Funded by Nicholls State University, the Family Resource Center assists with communication, self-esteem, conflict resolution, and positive action.

The Resource Center is a one-stop shop for:

  • Parenting
  • Financial assistance
  • Nutrition
  • Marital and family therapy
  • Chemical dependency
  • Homeless
  • Anger Management

Let the Family Resource Center treat you like family in Assumption, Lafourche, St. Mary, Terrebonne or St. Martin.

CALENDAR:

Meetings:

Prevention Partnership
11:00 – 1:00 p.m.
3rd Friday of every month

Children’s Coalition for the Bayou Region
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Last Wednesday of every month
Various sites
www.bayoukids.org

STAFF:

 
Gail Brigham
Coordinator of the Family Resource Center and Golden Learning Opportunities
 
Ruth Chiasson
Resource Assistant
Family Resource Center
Phone: 985.448.4307
E-mail: ruth.chiasson@nicholls.edu

The Family Resource Center strengthens families by providing a directory of available community resources.

Online cost:

  • $25 per individual
  • $50 per company

Hardcopy:

  • $18.00 (pick up at FRC)
  • $20.00 mail out

The Louisiana Children’s Code, established in 1992, provides definitions of abuse and neglect and contains laws pertaining to child abuse and neglect reports and investigations. The purpose of the Children’s Code is to protect children whose physical or mental health and welfare are substantially at risk of harm by physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional maltreatment or neglect and may be further threatened by the conduct of those responsible for their care and protection.

The Children’s Code authorizes the court to provide protection for children. While the state respects the bond between a parent or guardian and child, it asserts the right to intervene for the general welfare of the child when there is clear and present danger to the child’s health, welfare and safety.

Criminal laws are separate from the Children’s Code. Criminal laws provide for the prosecution of perpetrators in certain cases of child abuse involving sexual assault, physical abuse and homicide. The investigation into violations of criminal laws is the responsibility of law enforcement.

Legal Definitions

Abuse, as defined by law, is any one of the following acts which seriously endangers the physical, mental or emotional health of the child:

  • The infliction, attempted infliction or as a result of inadequate supervision, the allowance of the infliction or attempted infliction of physical or mental injury upon the child by a parent or any other person.
  • The exploitation or overwork of a child by a parent or any other person.
  • The involvement of the child in any sexual act with a parent or any other person, or the aiding or toleration by the parent or the caretaker of the child’s sexual involvement with any other person or of the child’s involvement in pornographic displays, or any other involvement of a child in sexual activity constituting a crime under the laws of this state.

Neglect is the refusal or willful failure of a parent or caretaker to supply the child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, care, treatment,or counseling for any injury, illness or condition of the child, as a result of which the child’s physical, mental or emotional health is substantially threatened or impaired. The following are not considered neglect:

  • The inability of a parent or caregiver to provide for a child due to inadequate financial resources shall not, for that reason alone, be considered neglect.
  • When, in lieu of medical care, a child is being provided treatment in accordance with the tenets of a well-recognized religious method of healing which has a reasonable, proven record of success, the child shall not, for that reason alone, be considered neglected or maltreated. Nothing shall prohibit the court from ordering medical services for the child when there is substantial risk of harm to the child’s health or welfare.

Emotional Maltreatment is behavior by a parent(s) such as the failure or inability to nurture, protect or provide appropriate guidance for the child to the extent that his/her emotional well being and functioning are seriously impaired.

Caretaker is any person legally obligated to provide or secure adequate care for a child. This includes: parent, tutor, guardian, legal custodian, foster parent, employee of a public or private day care or any other person providing a residence for the child.

Child is any person under age 18 who has not been emancipated either judicially or by marriage.

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

Certain individuals are mandated by law to report child abuse and neglect if they have reason to believe a child in their care is being abused or neglected. Mandatory reporters are in a position to identify children who are at risk from abuse and neglect. The Children’s Code names the following as mandatory reporters:

  • health practitioners, including any individual who provides health care services;
  • mental health/social service practitioners, including any person who provides mental health care or social service diagnosis, assessment, counseling or treatment;
  • teaching or child care providers, including any person who provides training and supervision of a child;
  • police officers/law enforcement officials; and
  • commercial film and photographic print processors.

All other individuals are “permitted” reporters. Individuals who report in good faith are immune from prosecution. Reporting should be considered a request for an investigation into a suspected incident of abuse or neglect, not an accusation. Reporters can remain anonymous, and, if they chose to give their name, that information will remain confidential. Due to confidentiality laws and in order to protect the family’s right to privacy, no confidential information about cases can be shared.

If a report of abuse or neglect involves a perpetrator who is not legally deemed as a caretaker, it is law enforcement’s responsibility to conduct the investigation. If a report involves a perpetrator who is legally defined as a caretaker, it is the responsibility of Child Protection Services, within the Office of Community Services, to conduct the investigation.

Criteria for Acceptance of a Report

Not all reports of suspected child abuse or neglect are accepted for investigation. Reports must meet the following criteria:

  • an alleged child victim under age 18,
  • alleged abuse or neglect by a caretaker and
  • the reporter has reason to believe that there is substantial risk of harm to the child’s welfare such as:
    • abuse or neglect have already occurred and the child’s physical, mental or emotional health is seriously damaged by the action or inaction of the caretaker or
    • the reporter has either observed first hand the abuse or neglect or has first hand knowledge of the abuse or neglect.

For more information on the Louisiana Children’s Code, the phone number for child protection in your area, or to talk with someone, please call the HELPLINE at 1. 800. 348. KIDS.

Source: Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana
Formerly Louisiana Council on Child Abuse

Quick Reference Guide - Resource phone numbers

All Parishes:

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council985.879.2273
Assisi Bridge House985.872.5529
Claire House985.395.2424
Fairview Treatment Center985.395.6750
National Eating Disorders AssociationWeb site
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office985.876.2500

Assumption Parish:

Thibodaux Addictive Disorders Clinic985.447.0851

Lafourche Parish:

Assisi Bridge House985.872.5529
Bayou Council on Alcoholism985.446.0643
800.618.9444
Thibodaux Addictive Disorders Clinic985.447.0851
Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment985.446.1970

St. Mary Parish:

Claire House985.395.2424
Fairview Treatment Center985.395.6750

Terrebonne Parish:

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council985.879.2273
Assisi Bridge House985.872.5529
Terrebonne Detox Center985.851.2575
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office985.876.2500

All Parishes:

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council for South Louisiana985.879.2273
Bayou Mental Health877.369.4080
Casa Hope, Inc.
– Options for Youth
985.632.7797
985.853.8550
St. Mary Addictive Disorders Clinic985.380.2455

How to Report Child Abuse

Office of Community Services:
Lafourche – (985) 447-0945
Terrebonne – (985) 857-3634
Assumption – (985) 447-0945
St. Mary – (337) 828-5278
St. Martin – (337) 394-6081

All Parishes:

Children’s Bureau504.525.2366
Cope-Line800.749.2673
Prevent Child Abuse800.348.5437
Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans504.482.2130

Assumption Parish:

Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office985.369.7281
Office of Community Services985.447.0945
Prevent Child Abuse800.348.5437
Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans504.482.2130

Lafourche Parish:

Cope-Line800.749.2673
Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office985.446.2255
Office of Community Services985.447.0945
Prevent Child Abuse800.348.5437

St. Mary Parish:

Cope-Line800.749.2673
St. Mary Office of Community Service337.828.5278
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office337.828.1960
Prevent Child Abuse800.348.5437

Terrebonne Parish:

Office of Community Services985.857.3630
Prevent Child Abuse800.348.5437
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office985.876.2500

Child Care Resources985.446.8330Generations Teaching Generations Preschool985.449.7036Office of Family Support985.857.3620

All Parishes:

Children’s Special Health Services985.447.0896
Lady of the Sea General Hospital985.632.6401
Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center985.873.2200
Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program877.252.2447
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center877.578.8255
Partners for Healthy Babies800.251.2229
985.449.5181 Ext. 200
Respite Care of Houma985.872.4984
St. Anne General Hospital985.537.6841
Thibodaux Regional Medical Center985.447.5500
Terrebonne General Medical Center985.873.4141

All Parishes:

American Red Cross800.299.8191
(fire or hurricane only)
Goodwill Industries Store985.223.0748
Salvation Army985.872.2436

Lafourche Parish:

Catholic Social Services985.876.0490
Community Service Center985.857.8253
Good Samaritan Thrift Store985.537.7706
Gym Dandy985.446.0859
St. Genevieve Helping Hands985.446.5571
Salvation Army Thrift Shop985.447.2520

St. Mary Parish:

Emergency Aid Center337.828.0921
Sacred Heart Thrift Store985.385.4749
St. Mary Community Action Association337.828.5703

Terrebonne Parish:

Community Service Center985.857.8253
Goodwill Store985.223.0748
St. Vincent De Paul Store985.872.9373

All Parishes:

Bayou Mental Health877.369.4080
CASA Hope985.632.7797
Grief Recovery Center225.924.6621
The Haven985.872.0757
Prevent Child Abuse800.348.KIDS
(Helpline)
Lafourche Mental Health Center985.537.6823
Nicholls Psychology Training Clinic985.448.4362
Terrebonne Psychiatric Recovery985.857.3615

All Parishes:

Capital Area Family Violence800.541.9706
Covenant House800.999.9999
Crossroads Pregnancy Center985.446.5004
Girls and Boys Town National Hotline800.448.3000
Hope Extreme Inc.985.873.3145
The Phone228.924.3900

LSU Medical School Dental Clinic504.619.8770St. Mary Outreach985.385.0525St. Mary Teche Action337.828.2550Teche Action – Houma985.868.3700

Disabilities

All Parishes:

Advocacy Center800.960.7705
Bayou Land Families Helping Families800.331.5570 or
985.879.2001
Cerebral Palsy of Louisiana504.341.0676 or
800.375.8275
Children’s Special Health Services985.447.0896
Citizens with Developmental Disabilities985.449.5167
Disability Information Access Line800.922.3425
Easter Seal Society of Louisiana504.523.7325 or
800.695.7325
Lafourche ARC985.447.6214
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services985.857.3652

Assumption Parish:

Assumption ARC985.369.2907
Bayou Industrial Maintenance Services, Inc.985.384.0323
Bayou Land Families Helping Families800.331.5570
Social Security Administration985.384.5301

Lafourche Parish:

Bayou Industrial Maintenance Services, Inc.985.384.0323
Bayou Land Families Helping Families800.331.5570
Lafourche Council on Aging985.537.3446 or
985.537.7046
Social Security Administration985.872.1417 or
800.772.1213

St. Mary Parish:

Bayou Industrial Maintenance Services, Inc.985.384.0323
Bayou Land Families Helping Families800.331.5570
St. Mary Mayor’s Committee on Disability Issues985.399.4950 or
800.520.0583
Social Security Administration985.384.5301

Terrebonne Parish:

Bayou Land Families Helping Families985.879.2001
CHADD985.851.2254
Social Security Administration985.872.1417 or
800.772.1213
Terrebonne ARC985.876.4465
Terrebonne Council on Aging985.868.8411

All Parishes:

Chez Hope800.331.5303
Family Violence Council of Terrebonne985.851.5221
The Haven985.872.0757

All Parishes:

American Cancer Society985.851.7776
800.227.2345
American Diabetes Association504.889.0278
800.960.7732
American Heart Association985.851.3479
800.242.8721
American Lung Association504.828.5864
800.586.4872
Bayou Region School-To-Work/Region 3
Tech Prep LA Work Force Committee/Louisiana
Technical College System
985.857.3660
Nicholls State University985.448.4751
985.448.4118

Assumption Parish:

Advocacy Center for the Elderly & Disabled800.960.7705
Assumption Council on Aging985.369.7961
Office of Housing & Community Development985.369.2026

Lafourche Parish:

Advocacy Center for the Elderly & Disabled800.960.7705
Elderly Protective Services800.673.4673
Lafourche Community Action800.794.3160 or
985.537.7603
Lafourche Council on Aging985.537.3446
985.537.7046
Lafourche Parish Sheriff985.448.2111

River Parish:

St. Charles Council on Aging985.783.6683
St. James Council on Aging225.562.2362
St. John the Baptist Council on Aging866.437.5262
985.652.3660

St. Mary Parish:

Advocacy Center for the Elderly & Disabled800.960.7705
St. Mary Community Action337.828.5703
St. Mary Council on Aging337.828.4100
ext. 320

Terrebonne Parish:

Bayouland YMCA Senior Program985.873.9622
Terrebonne Council on Aging985.868.8411
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff985.876.2500

Assumption Parish:

Assumption Arc985.369.2907
Catholic Community Services225.336.8770
LA Department of Labor225.342.3111
The Work Connection985.369.1810

Lafourche Parish:

Lafourche Council on Aging888.879.4400
LA Department of Labor985.857.3640
The Work Connection985.446.3016
Louisiana Migrant Education Program985.532.2508

St. Mary Parish:

Acadiana Works337.828.0257
Employment Security Office985.380.2448
La Department of Labor985.380.2448
St. Mary Community Action Association337.828.5703
Work Connection800.351.4378

Terrebonne Parish:

Community Options985.873.6855
LA Department of Labor985.857.3640
The Work Connection985.873.6855

All Parishes:

Children’s Bureau504.525.2366
Jewish Family Services504.8318475
Natural Child Projectwww.naturalchild.com/home
Parents without Partners800.637.7974
Project No Spankhttp://www.nospank.org/
Stepfamily in Formationwww.stepfamilyinfo.org/site/map.htm
Today’s Parent Onlinewww.todaysparent.com

Assumption Parish:

Thibodaux Addictive Disorders Clinic985.447.0851

Lafourche Parish:

Assisi Bridge House985.872.5529
Bayou Council on Alcoholism985.446.0643
800.618.9444
Thibodaux Addictive Disorders Clinic985.447.0851
Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment985.446.1970

St. Mary Parish:

Claire House985.395.2424
Fairview Treatment Center985.395.6750

Terrebonne Parish:

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council985.879.2273
Assisi Bridge House985.872.5529
Terrebonne Detox Center985.851.2575
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office985.876.2500
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