OUR WORK

POLICY ADVOCACY

Underlying every equitable system are strong, clear policies that afford all individuals the tools they need to lead healthy, productive lives. At LCHE, one of our core strategies for improving health outcomes is policy advocacy through campaigns, legislative studies, and policy recommendations.

Currently, our policy agenda centers around supporting the behavioral health needs of youth exposed to trauma and childhood adversity (Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)), more specifically, championing policy efforts to address the role of ACEs on disciplinary practices within Louisiana’s schools, an issue that has grown increasingly critical in the wake of COVID-19. LCHE also look at issues pertaining to women and children including, but not limited to maternal and child health and lack of access to quality care.

Under the commission of the Louisiana Legislature, LCHE convened regional and statewide studies including, service delivery and financing policies. These studies were authorized under the following legislation:

Health Services Delivery and Financing Capitol Region Task Force – Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 of the 2016 R.S. (SCR 4)

The Student Behavior, Mental Health, and Discipline Task Force Report – House Resolution of the 2022 R.S. (HR 173)

These studies have been completed by LCHE and follow up on the findings are currently underway.

LEARNING AND TRAINING

We offer several equity-centered learning and training opportunities to expand knowledge and build capacity at the individual, organization and community levels and to facilitate collective action.

Offerings range in content, length and format for audiences including professionals, policymakers, community members and youth. Though our learning and training programs and activities are typically offered in person, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several have been adapted to a virtual format and are announced as they become available. Select professional learning opportunities may also include continuing education credits in accordance with credentialing requirements. LCHE’s recurring offerings include, but are not limited to, the Annual Health Summit, Women’s Health Day symposium and webinars, and LYFE Line Teen Summit.

In addition to our programs and events, we also offer experiential learning opportunities for students and emerging professionals in the form of internships, fellowships, service learning, pro bono opportunities and the like. LCHE has proudly hosted a wide array of learners, including medical and public health post-doctoral fellows, law students, social work interns and undergraduate students in various fields. For more information, please reach out to us via our ‘Opportunities’ page.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT

Throughout the year LCHE hosts events and programs to encourage community members of all ages to make healthy lifestyle choices and build stronger, healthier communities. Through the loyal support of our community partners, our offerings are made available for free or at minimal cost to participants.

We have a strong track record of building collaboration for example, the Together We Are More (TWRM): A Holistic Approach to Adolescent Health is a collaborative initiative in Baton Rouge to create opportunities for youth to live healthier and more productive lives. LCHE convened TWRM to develop a public health approach to adolescent health. The priorities are reducing violence and homicide, reducing the high school dropout rate, increasing social supports, and increasing extra-curricular out of school activities and more recently, suicide prevention.

STRATEGIC INNOVATION AND IMPACT

We assist organizations in identifying gaps and opportunities, creating plans and executing actions to realize results with a focus inclusive of determinants of health.

At LCHE, we understand that shared goals and thoughtful collaboration are the keys to success. Accordingly, we are pleased to lend our expertise as strategic partners to organizations and businesses who share in our mission and are committed to services, programs and policies that promote equity. If you or your organization would like to learn more about our services, connect with us to begin this partnership. We would love to know how you are making a difference and how we can help!

2022 - YEAR IN REVIEW

Throughout 2022, LCHE has continually kept LA40by2030, to improve Louisiana’s health ranking to 40 by the year 2030, as our goal with the well-being of women and children at the forefront. This year, through our collective efforts, LCHE is thrilled to share a few highlights of our work in the Baton Rouge community and the State of Louisiana.

Women's Health: A Big Health Equity Win

LCHE celebrated 10 years of advocating for women’s health by hosting annual Women’s Health Day at the State Capitol during the 2022 Regular Legislative Session with a focus on women's health through the generations.

Meanwhile, legislation moving through the Legislature passed just weeks later to create the Office on Women’s Health, a victory for LCHE as the organizer and the many partners of the Campaign to Establish Louisiana Office on Women’s Health. This office places Louisiana among only a few states that have an Office on Women’s Health and presents a huge opportunity to engage women’s health advocates in the creation of this office, its programs and policy priorities.

In October, LCHE and the Campaign to Establish Louisiana Office on Women’s Health celebrated the creation of the Office on Women’s Health while reflecting on our journey and looking forward to this Office accomplishing the purposes for which it was created.

LCHE's Founder and President, Alma Stewart Allen, was recognized for her leadership, activism, and role as organizer of the Campaign to Establish the Louisiana Office on Women's Health. Senator Regina Barrow and Argarette Weatherspoon Collins were also recognized.

Focus on Well-Being of Youth and Young Adults

The passage of House Resolution (HR) 173, also during the 2022 Legislative Session, created the Student Behavior, Mental Health, and Discipline Task Force naming LCHE as the convener. This Task Force is charged with reviewing policies related to student behavior and discipline and submitting a report in January 2023 to help address the mental health crisis among Louisiana's youth.

LCHE launched the Louisiana Resources and Educational Assessments for Children’s Health (LA REACH) with a specific aim of improving school environments and academic performance through trauma-informed professional development and promoting ACEs screening. LCHE successfully completed Phase I of a pilot initiative at Northdale Superintendent's Academy.

In response to the highly publicized suicides of university students, LCHE created the Check In Series and held two sessions as a platform for teens and college students to raise awareness about the importance of mental health, suicide awareness and prevention, and available resources.

After being virtual for the last two years due to the COVID 19 pandemic, LCHE held the Youth Peace Olympics (YPO) youth violence prevention program in-person again for our nineth year with a civil rights tour of the historic Baton Rouge area to create a space for youth to better understand the significance of the past and how the lingering effects of racism and resulting actions influence the present and potentially the future.

Recognition in National Spotlight, Partnerships and National Experts’ Presentations

LCHE became a partner with the National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE) and is a member of the Leveraging Heath Opportunity and Equity (HOPE) Community of Practice.

Dr. Gail Christopher, Executive Director for the NCHE was the keynote speaker for 2022 Health Summit: Pathways through Policy for Equitable Recovery. During the summit, attendees also heard from leading national voices including Dawn M. Hunter, Director of the Southeastern Region for the Network for Public Health Law, Olivia Randi, Policy Associate for the National Academy for State Health Policy and Ashleigh Gardere, Executive Vice President at PolicyLink as well as other presenters.

LCHE’s Founder and President, Alma Stewart Allen, was the winner of 2022 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Equity presented by the National Civic League (RWJF-NCL Health Equity Award). This annual nationally acclaimed award honors an individual dedicated to improving the health within their communities’ using a system change approach.

THANK YOU!

On behalf the LCHE Team, THANK YOU for your support. It makes our work possible and it is helping to make a difference. We look forward to continuing our progress with you in 2023 and beyond.