DEPARTMENT MENU
Family Service Center
Creating safe home environments in Assumption, Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes
The Family Service Center’s mission is to create safe home environments by enhancing conflict resolution and changing behaviors within the family unit to reduce the probability of child abuse and neglect and improve overall mental health of family members.
The Family Service Center believes in promoting community involvement so every family and child has an opportunity to experience a quality of life conducive to maximizing individual potential.
The Family Service Center is located behind Babington Hall.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2131
Thibodaux, LA 70310
Physical Address:
101 Afton Drive
Located behind Babington Dormitory
Business Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm Monday thru Friday
Telephone: (985) 493-2490
Fax: (985) 493-2489
OUR SERVICES:
FAMILY SERVICE CENTER PROVIDES:
In-Home Services, Community-Based Services and/or Center-Based Services in Lafourche, Terrebonne, Assumption, St. Mary, and Lower St. Martin Parishes.
Department of Children & Family Services Referral Form – This form should be utilized by referring caseworkers from the Office of Community Services.
- Skill-Building: individual, family and/or group educational services geared toward improving behaviors for independent living (family skills training)
- Educational Services: assistance and/or tutelage in obtaining improvements in identified areas
- Parenting: individual and/or group sessions focused on effective parenting techniques, positive discipline, improving communication skills, child-management, etc.; utilization of Effective Black Parenting Program, Strengthening Families Program, STEP & Nurturing Program for Parents of Infants, Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers and Nurturing Parents Skill Building Program
- Supervised Visitation Facilities: assistance to families involved in reunification process; safe, secure site provided for family visitation
- Transportation: vouchers, transportation or establishment of transportation plan for consumers to case management appointments and/or service appointments
- Assisted Referrals: education and referral to community resources for establishing improved mental health of children and families
- Case Management: coordination, integration and monitoring of consumer services; client advocacy
- Support Services: collaboration with existing community agencies for housing, employment, financial assistance and involvement in recreational and educational programs
- Training: collaboration with existing community agencies for child/family training relative to assessed need; topics include but are not limited to anger management, conflict resolution, addiction, substance use prevention and education, family prevention, self-esteem, decision-making, problem-solving, foster grandparent program, employment training, financial management, home economics, skills training, on-job training
- Information, Referral and Advocacy Services: collaboration with existing Family Resource Center to access community referrals, lending library and family support, as well as direct referral to community agencies; client advocacy in educational and judicial proceedings
- Kinship services: Kinship navigator will provide support for relative and fictive kin who provide care for children.
- Parent partner services: Kinship navigator will provide support for relative and fictive kin who provide care for children.
- Concrete services: Ensuring that families have access to concrete and financial support and services that address a family’s needs and help minimize stress caused by short term crises.
- My Community Cares services: Community-driven, neighborhood-based approach to strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect in the State of Louisiana. MCC envisions communities where all children and families are healthy and safe and have equitable access to services and supports. The mission of MCC is to strengthen families and support communities.
OUR STAFF
Gina Bergeron
Executive Director of the Family Service Center, Regional Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Supervisor
Family Service Center
Phone: 985.493.2491
E-mail: gina.bergeron@nicholls.edu
Nathalie Ballansaw, BS
Nicholls State University Kinship Navigator
Family Service Center Building
Phone: 985-493-2730
E-mail: nathalie.ballansaw@nicholls.edu
Anastasia Wright, BA
Family Service Center Case Manager
Family Service Center Building
Phone: 985.493.2492
E-mail: anastasia.wright@nicholls.edu
Zerica Washington, MA. PLPC, NCC
Clinical Director
Family Service Center Building
Phone: 985-493-2731
E-mail: zerica.mollaire@nicholls.edu
INFORMATION
The Family Service Center was established in 1998 through a contract awarded to the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Nicholls State University from the Department of Children & Family Services to offer both assisted referrals and supportive services to bring Louisiana into compliance with the requirements of the Adoptions & Safe Families Act of 1997.
Referral Sources:
Department of Children and Family Services (http://www.dss.louisiana.gov)
Families in Need of Services (http://www.lasc.org/court_managed_prog/fins.asp)
Policies
- LA law requires a consumer’s right to confidentiality. All written & oral information regarding NSU-FSC consumers must be registered as confidential & must be safeguarded to protect the rights of the consumers & their families.
- A referral form must also be received for each child/family referred for services.
- A staffing is a scheduled meeting with the referring caseworker & FSC staff to discuss the case referral.
- If substance abuse is a presenting issue, the consumer must be actively engaged in substance abuse treatment &/or agree to participate in treatment before FSC services will be initiated.
- A crisis referral is an unplanned, unforeseen event for which the family / consumer lacks resources to address & which places the family members of concern at substantial risk of not maintaining the safety, permanency & well-being of the child(ren) in the home.
- The NSU-FSC will subcontract services with qualified professionals to secure the provision of accessible services to consumers.
- Local qualified professionals will be secured & utilized first to provide accessible services & eliminate potential transportation issues for consumers.
- In adherence to the Children’s Code, program staff & subcontracting staff are designated as mandatory reporters & are required by LA law to report all suspected cases of child abuse & neglect.
- Report Suspected Abuse &/or Neglect to the Department Of Children & Family Services:
855-4LA-KIDS (855-452-5437)
- Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) http://www.dss.louisiana.gov
CONTACT:
The Family Service Center is located behind Babington Hall.
Business Hours:
8:00am-4:30pm Monday thru Friday
Telephone: (888) 314-6114 or (985) 493-2490
Fax: (985) 493-2489
Physical Address:
101 Afton Drive
Located behind Babington Dormitory
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2131
Thibodaux, LA 70310
CAMPUS LOCATION:
