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 Council | 985.879.2273 |
Assisi Bridge House | 985.872.5529 |
Claire House | 985.395.2424 |
Fairview Treatment Center | 985.395.6750 |
National Eating Disorders Association | Web site |
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office | 985.876.2500 |
Assumption Parish:
Thibodaux Addictive Disorders Clinic | 985.447.0851 |
Lafourche Parish:
Assisi Bridge House | 985.872.5529 |
Bayou Council on Alcoholism | 985.446.0643 800.618.9444 |
Thibodaux Addictive Disorders Clinic | 985.447.0851 |
Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment | 985.446.1970 |
St. Mary Parish:
Claire House | 985.395.2424 |
Fairview Treatment Center | 985.395.6750 |
Terrebonne Parish:
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council | 985.879.2273 |
Assisi Bridge House | 985.872.5529 |
Terrebonne Detox Center | 985.851.2575 |
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office | 985.876.2500 |
All Parishes:
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council for South Louisiana | 985.879.2273 |
Bayou Mental Health | 877.369.4080 |
Casa Hope, Inc. – Options for Youth | 985.632.7797 985.853.8550 |
St. Mary Addictive Disorders Clinic | 985.380.2455 |
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 Bureau | 504.525.2366 |
Cope-Line | 800.749.2673 |
Prevent Child Abuse | 800.348.5437 |
Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans | 504.482.2130 |
Assumption Parish:
Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office | 985.369.7281 |
Office of Community Services | 985.447.0945 |
Prevent Child Abuse | 800.348.5437 |
Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans | 504.482.2130 |
Lafourche Parish:
Cope-Line | 800.749.2673 |
Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office | 985.446.2255 |
Office of Community Services | 985.447.0945 |
Prevent Child Abuse | 800.348.5437 |
St. Mary Parish:
Cope-Line | 800.749.2673 |
St. Mary Office of Community Service | 337.828.5278 |
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office | 337.828.1960 |
Prevent Child Abuse | 800.348.5437 |
Terrebonne Parish:
Office of Community Services | 985.857.3630 |
Prevent Child Abuse | 800.348.5437 |
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office | 985.876.2500 |
Child Care Resources985.446.8330Generations Teaching Generations Preschool985.449.7036Office of Family Support985.857.3620
All Parishes:
Children’s Special Health Services | 985.447.0896 |
Lady of the Sea General Hospital | 985.632.6401 |
Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center | 985.873.2200 |
Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program | 877.252.2447 |
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center | 877.578.8255 |
Partners for Healthy Babies | 800.251.2229 985.449.5181 Ext. 200 |
Respite Care of Houma | 985.872.4984 |
St. Anne General Hospital | 985.537.6841 |
Thibodaux Regional Medical Center | 985.447.5500 |
Terrebonne General Medical Center | 985.873.4141 |
All Parishes:
American Red Cross | 800.299.8191 (fire or hurricane only) |
Goodwill Industries Store | 985.223.0748 |
Salvation Army | 985.872.2436 |
Lafourche Parish:
Catholic Social Services | 985.876.0490 |
Community Service Center | 985.857.8253 |
Good Samaritan Thrift Store | 985.537.7706 |
Gym Dandy | 985.446.0859 |
St. Genevieve Helping Hands | 985.446.5571 |
Salvation Army Thrift Shop | 985.447.2520 |
St. Mary Parish:
Emergency Aid Center | 337.828.0921 |
Sacred Heart Thrift Store | 985.385.4749 |
St. Mary Community Action Association | 337.828.5703 |
Terrebonne Parish:
Community Service Center | 985.857.8253 |
Goodwill Store | 985.223.0748 |
St. Vincent De Paul Store | 985.872.9373 |
All Parishes:
Bayou Mental Health | 877.369.4080 |
CASA Hope | 985.632.7797 |
Grief Recovery Center | 225.924.6621 |
The Haven | 985.872.0757 |
Prevent Child Abuse | 800.348.KIDS (Helpline) |
Lafourche Mental Health Center | 985.537.6823 |
Nicholls Psychology Training Clinic | 985.448.4362 |
Terrebonne Psychiatric Recovery | 985.857.3615 |
All Parishes:
Capital Area Family Violence | 800.541.9706 |
Covenant House | 800.999.9999 |
Crossroads Pregnancy Center | 985.446.5004 |
Girls and Boys Town National Hotline | 800.448.3000 |
Hope Extreme Inc. | 985.873.3145 |
The Phone | 228.924.3900 |
LSU Medical School Dental Clinic504.619.8770St. Mary Outreach985.385.0525St. Mary Teche Action337.828.2550Teche Action – Houma985.868.3700
Disabilities
All Parishes:
Advocacy Center | 800.960.7705 |
Bayou Land Families Helping Families | 800.331.5570 or 985.879.2001 |
Cerebral Palsy of Louisiana | 504.341.0676 or 800.375.8275 |
Children’s Special Health Services | 985.447.0896 |
Citizens with Developmental Disabilities | 985.449.5167 |
Disability Information Access Line | 800.922.3425 |
Easter Seal Society of Louisiana | 504.523.7325 or 800.695.7325 |
Lafourche ARC | 985.447.6214 |
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services | 985.857.3652 |
Assumption Parish:
Assumption ARC | 985.369.2907 |
Bayou Industrial Maintenance Services, Inc. | 985.384.0323 |
Bayou Land Families Helping Families | 800.331.5570 |
Social Security Administration | 985.384.5301 |
Lafourche Parish:
Bayou Industrial Maintenance Services, Inc. | 985.384.0323 |
Bayou Land Families Helping Families | 800.331.5570 |
Lafourche Council on Aging | 985.537.3446 or 985.537.7046 |
Social Security Administration | 985.872.1417 or 800.772.1213 |
St. Mary Parish:
Bayou Industrial Maintenance Services, Inc. | 985.384.0323 |
Bayou Land Families Helping Families | 800.331.5570 |
St. Mary Mayor’s Committee on Disability Issues | 985.399.4950 or 800.520.0583 |
Social Security Administration | 985.384.5301 |
Terrebonne Parish:
Bayou Land Families Helping Families | 985.879.2001 |
CHADD | 985.851.2254 |
Social Security Administration | 985.872.1417 or 800.772.1213 |
Terrebonne ARC | 985.876.4465 |
Terrebonne Council on Aging | 985.868.8411 |
All Parishes:
Chez Hope | 800.331.5303 |
Family Violence Council of Terrebonne | 985.851.5221 |
The Haven | 985.872.0757 |
All Parishes:
American Cancer Society | 985.851.7776 800.227.2345 |
American Diabetes Association | 504.889.0278 800.960.7732 |
American Heart Association | 985.851.3479 800.242.8721 |
American Lung Association | 504.828.5864 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 University | 985.448.4751 985.448.4118 |
Assumption Parish:
Advocacy Center for the Elderly & Disabled | 800.960.7705 |
Assumption Council on Aging | 985.369.7961 |
Office of Housing & Community Development | 985.369.2026 |
Lafourche Parish:
Advocacy Center for the Elderly & Disabled | 800.960.7705 |
Elderly Protective Services | 800.673.4673 |
Lafourche Community Action | 800.794.3160 or 985.537.7603 |
Lafourche Council on Aging | 985.537.3446 985.537.7046 |
Lafourche Parish Sheriff | 985.448.2111 |
River Parish:
St. Charles Council on Aging | 985.783.6683 |
St. James Council on Aging | 225.562.2362 |
St. John the Baptist Council on Aging | 866.437.5262 985.652.3660 |
St. Mary Parish:
Advocacy Center for the Elderly & Disabled | 800.960.7705 |
St. Mary Community Action | 337.828.5703 |
St. Mary Council on Aging | 337.828.4100 ext. 320 |
Terrebonne Parish:
Bayouland YMCA Senior Program | 985.873.9622 |
Terrebonne Council on Aging | 985.868.8411 |
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff | 985.876.2500 |
Assumption Parish:
Assumption Arc | 985.369.2907 |
Catholic Community Services | 225.336.8770 |
LA Department of Labor | 225.342.3111 |
The Work Connection | 985.369.1810 |
Lafourche Parish:
Lafourche Council on Aging | 888.879.4400 |
LA Department of Labor | 985.857.3640 |
The Work Connection | 985.446.3016 |
Louisiana Migrant Education Program | 985.532.2508 |
St. Mary Parish:
Acadiana Works | 337.828.0257 |
Employment Security Office | 985.380.2448 |
La Department of Labor | 985.380.2448 |
St. Mary Community Action Association | 337.828.5703 |
Work Connection | 800.351.4378 |
Terrebonne Parish:
Community Options | 985.873.6855 |
LA Department of Labor | 985.857.3640 |
The Work Connection | 985.873.6855 |
All Parishes:
Children’s Bureau | 504.525.2366 |
Jewish Family Services | 504.8318475 |
Natural Child Project | www.naturalchild.com/home |
Parents without Partners | 800.637.7974 |
Project No Spank | http://www.nospank.org/ |
Stepfamily in Formation | www.stepfamilyinfo.org/site/map.htm |
Today’s Parent Online | www.todaysparent.com |
Assumption Parish:
Thibodaux Addictive Disorders Clinic | 985.447.0851 |
Lafourche Parish:
Assisi Bridge House | 985.872.5529 |
Bayou Council on Alcoholism | 985.446.0643 800.618.9444 |
Thibodaux Addictive Disorders Clinic | 985.447.0851 |
Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment | 985.446.1970 |
St. Mary Parish:
Claire House | 985.395.2424 |
Fairview Treatment Center | 985.395.6750 |
Terrebonne Parish:
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council | 985.879.2273 |
Assisi Bridge House | 985.872.5529 |
Terrebonne Detox Center | 985.851.2575 |
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office | 985.876.2500 |