ADAPT, INC
All Deserve Advocacy, Prevention & Treatment
Changing lives through education, one program at a time...
Mission:
The mission of ADAPT is to unite the community in providing resources and implementing prevention, intervention and post-intervention strategies to address the causal factors that lead to sexual assault, violence, substance abuse and other problem behaviors in Washington Parish. Purpose:
The purpose of ADAPT is to provide a comprehensive center that offers advocacy, prevention and intervention services in the areas of sexual violence, substance abuse, and other problem behaviors of children and adults in Washington Parish. ADAPT strives to empower children, their parents, and other adults by providing knowledge and skills through its many programs and wide array of service. ADAPT stands ready to serve children and adults who are suffering as a result of sexual violence, substance abuse or any other problem behavior. ADAPT encourages our community to strengthen their prevention efforts through collaboration with schools, churches and community organizations.Goals:
1. To prevent child abuse and neglect before it happens by delivering research based prevention programs. 2. To provide child abuse prevention and direct services to victims which includes a variety of programs and services.3. To provide sexual assault prevention and direct services to assault victims which includes: operating a 24/7 crisis hotline; providing hospital and law enforcement victim advocates 24/7; providing sexual assault information, prevention education, professional training, awareness campaigns, inter-agency collaboration, and victim support and counseling.4. To provide prevention and educational services targeting substance abuse.
Tall-Cop-Training-Registration Form 2023.pdfWashington Parish Drug Take Back Day
Sheriff Randy Seal, Angela Houlemard, Deputy Sheriff Geoff Crowe, and Rusty Fornea are pictured with medication that was collected and removed from circulation at the 2nd Annual Drive By, "Washington Parish Drug Take Back Day," sponsored by Access Health Louisiana in Bogalusa at the Washington Parish Council on Aging. ADAPT, Inc., along with other organizations partnered with Access Health to make the event a huge success. Thirty-two (32) pounds of medication was collected and will be appropriately disposed of.
Prescription Drug Drop Box Project
ADAPT, Inc. joins forces with the Franklinton Police Department to get unused prescription drugs out of circulation. Rusty Fornea, Executive Director for ADAPT, presented Police Chief Justin Brown with a Prescription Drop Box to be housed at the Franklinton Police Department. The Drop Box project aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs that are no longer needed. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. Too often prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands which can be dangerous and tragic. It is strongly advised to dispose of medications that are no longer needed. Any citizen may drop off prescription drugs during regular operation hours at the Franklinton Police Department. This project was supported by Florida Parishes Human Service Authority (FPHSA) and Drug Free Communities (DFC).
School Leaders Receive Training
Teachers learn prevention programs to provide instruction to students in grades 3-12.
ADAPT, Inc. provided educators in Bogalusa and Washington Parish Schools with training in prevention programs which will be implemented during the 2022-2023 school year. Participants were trained in Life Skills Training (LST), Kids Don’t Gamble (KDG), Generation Rx, and Catch My Breath (CMB). LST is an evidenced-based program that has been extensively tested and proven effective in reducing alcohol, opioid, and illicit drug use by as much as 80%. KDG is an interdisciplinary program designed to discourage underage gambling through improved critical thinking and problem solving, leading to better decision-making skills for students. Generation Rx is an Opioid Prevention Program that teaches prescription safety and dangers of opioids. CMB is an evidenced-based program to prevent the use of vaping among youth.
The training was conducted by Ginger Champagne, Program Coordinator, and Rusty Fornea, Executive Director. Other staff members who assisted with the training included Stephanie Seals and Maddie Champagne.
Participants included Annunciation Catholic School: Tabitha Ezell, Laurie Pittman, Debbie Donnely; Bens Ford Christian: Jana Pounds; Bogalusa Alternative: Parish Sumrall; Bogalusa High: Temicka Johnson, Trenise Graves, Vanessa Smith; Central Elementary: Stina Bickham, Jessica Pritchard, LaDarrus Brister; Northshore Charter: Janet Scott; Enon Elementary: Jessica Easterling, Brittany Galloway, Amanda Hall; Franklinton Primary: Angela Brown; Franklinton Elementary: Jenny Morgan, Misty Smith; Franklinton High: Stacy Cooper, Cheryl Seals; Franklinton Jr. High: Bernice Briggs, Debra Byrd, Andy Creel, Keniya Dillon, Daniel Hillburn, April Knight, Leigh Ann Morel, Misty Polk, Tiffany Polkey, Tiffany Smith, Melissa Wilkerson, Cheyenne Wilson, Reggie Wilson; Franklinton Primary: Brooke Crain, Darlene Fugate, Rhonda Ingram, Peggy Leonard, Erika Samsey; Mt.Hermon: Lee Bond, Brandie Kerbow; Jennifer Strickland, LaHoma Vernon; Pine Jr/Sr High: Brett Cooper, Cody Cooper, Blake Dillon, Trevor Stuart; Thomas Elementary: Lisa Magee, Tasche Magee; Varnado High: Amber Burge, Garnet Fornea, Latasha Payton; Wesley Ray Elementary: Tasche Harry.
For more information on prevention programs offered by ADAPT, Inc. contact Ginger Champagne or Rusty Fornea at (985) 735-0160.
Rafael de Castro, Executive Director for LAFASA, presents Rusty Fornea, ADAPT Executive Director, with the Program of the Year Award.
ADAPT, Inc. Receives Program of the Year Award
ADAPT, Inc. received the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault (LAFASA) Program of the Year Award for its work as the Washington Parish Sexual Assault Center (WPSAC). This award recognizes a center that has done excellent work in the field of sexual violence prevention and response. Rusty Fornea, Executive Director, along with Dana Walker, RPE Coordinator, and Victim Services Coordinators Leslie Holmes and Bobbie Kimbrell were on hand to accept the award at a ceremony held in Baton Rouge, LA.
WPSAC’s fully accredited center provides a wide array of services in Washington Parish. A 24/7 Crisis Hotline is manned to provide immediate services for victims of sexual assault and/or domestic violence. The phone number for the hotline is (985) 732-24961. Additional services include individual and group counseling, hospital escort, law enforcement accompaniment, judicial accompaniment, victim advocacy, victim reparations, emotional support, and prevention education. All services are provided free of charge. For more information contact ADAPT at (985) 735-0160.
ADAPT, Inc. Partners with Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS)
SLLS has joined the team at ADAPT in Franklinton. L-R Paula Charles, Managing Attorney; Tiffany Whitley, Attorney; Casey Hardaway, Summer Intern; Emma Dixon, SLLS Board Member; Rusty Fornea, ADAPT Executive Director and WP Council.
ADAPT, Inc./Washington Parish Sexual Assault Center (WPSAC) is working in partnership with Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) to provide free services to residents in Washington Parish. ADAPT maintains an office in Bogalusa which is located at 216 Memphis Street, with a satellite office located at 1007 Cleveland Street in Franklinton. ADAPT provides a comprehensive center that offers advocacy, prevention and intervention services in the areas of sexual violence, substance abuse, and other problem behaviors of children and adults. SLLS maintains office hours at ADAPT’s Franklinton Office every Monday - Wednesday from 9:00-Noon. SLLS fights for fairness for vulnerable people. They provide free, civil legal aid to low-income people in six offices, across 22 parishes throughout southeast Louisiana.
ADAPT, INC Partners with Area Agencies to Provide Lifesaving Narcan
Mike Hollywood on behalf of the Bogalusa Fire Department receives Narcan from Rhonda Gunnell at ADAPT. Narcan nasal spray contains naloxone hydrochloride. When administered it blocks or reverses the effects of opioid overdose, including extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, or loss of consciousness. Narcan nasal spray can save lives when used in an emergency situation to treat an opioid overdose. Mike Hollywood, BFD, receives the Narcan from Rhonda Gunnell, ADAPT. The Narcan was provided by ADAPT, Inc. in collaboration with Florida Parishes Human Services Authority.
For more information on Narcan, contact ADAPT at 985-735-0160.
LaDarrick Smith, Washington Parish Youth Coalition; Bruce Sampson, Believe Performing Arts Experience, Executive Director; and Rusty Fornea, ADAPT, Executive Director provide water for Believe Camp participants.
ADAPT Partners With Believe Performing Arts
ADAPT’s Partnership For Success (PFS) program provided water to the Believe Performing Arts Experience participants at Bogalusa High School with the message “Water is cool! Drugs are not!” PFS works to reduce underage drinking and youth substance abuse through partnerships with organizations who are committed to working together to address youth substance use. The Believe Performing Arts Experience is composed of a team of internationally experienced performers and directors from Los Angeles and New York. Youth who participate in Believe Camp are educated, inspired, empowered, and united through singing, dancing, acting, creativity and more. Believe Camp will conclude with an exciting stage show on Friday, July 9th, at 6:00 pm at the Bogalusa High School Auditorium. For more information on Believe Camp, contact Executive Director, Bruce Sampson, at 985-268-7608. PFS Program Director, Rhonda Gunnell, can be contacted at 985-735-0160 for information on forming positive partnerships to benefit the youth of Washington Parish.
Find out more about substance abuse and misuse
Sexual Assault Center Opens New Location in Franklinton
Rusty Fornea, Executive Director at ADAPT, Inc., cuts the ribbon signifying the opening of the ADAPT satellite office in Franklinton. Partners gathered to show support.
ADAPT, Inc./Washington Parish Sexual Assault Center (WPSAC) is excited to announce the opening of it’s new location at 1007 Cleveland Street in Franklinton. WPSAC has serviced the needs of victims and their families of sexual assault and domestic violence in Washington Parish since 1990. The addition of the Franklinton location will enhance the availability of services throughout our parish.
Services offered to victims of sexual assault include but are not limited to: 24/7 crisis hotline, victim advocacy, law enforcement and hospital accompaniment, criminal justice accompaniment, assistance with protective orders, individual and group counseling, assistance with victim reparations, and more. Counseling and referral services are offered to victims of domestic violence. All services are provided FREE of charge.
ADAPT partners with many agencies to offer the very best services. Some partners who were present at the grand opening of the Franklinton Office include: Warren Montgomery, District Attorney; Shea Penton, Assistant District Attorney; Tommie Sorrell, District Attorney’s Office; Brent Jones, WPSO Chief Civil Deputy; Mitchell Murphy, WPSO; Geoff Crowe, WPSO; Paula Charles, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS); Theresa Robertson, SLLS; Camille Kinsey, SLLS; Rafael Castro, LAFASA; Peter Sullivan, Riverside Medical Center; Jimmy Seibert, Riverside Medical Center; Tren Garbo, Our Lady of Angels Hospital; Linda Mizell, Representative Malinda White’s Office; Penny Jones, Senator Beth Mizell’s Office; Dawn Hawkins, Capital District Law Enforcement Planning Council; Johnny D. Crain, Clerk of Court; Richard Thomas, Jr., Parish President; Donna Graham, Parish Government; Terry Morgan, Parish Government; Ken Wheat, Parish Government; Jimbo Stevenson, Washington Parish Assessor; Sherry Martin, Assessor’s Office; Chase Anderson, Anderson’s Law Firm; Sheila Palmisano, Anderson’s Law Firm. Representatives from ADAPT that were present include: Rusty Fornea, Leslie Holmes, Pam Helton, Tracy Gill, Dana Walker, Suzette Nielson, Tiffany Crain, and Terri McMillan.
The Washington Parish Sexual Assault Center has helped many people overcome the pain and trauma associated with sexual assault. Our services are confidential, call us at 985-732-4961 to learn what we can do to help. Whether the assault is done by a stranger, friend, or relative makes no difference. No one has the right to sexually assault you.
If you have questions or would like to set up an appointment please contact us: Franklinton - 1007 Cleveland Street, (985) 322-2085; Bogalusa - 216 Memphis Street, (985) 735-0160; 24/7 Crisis Hotline – (985) 732-4961; visit us on the web at www.adaptwp.org then click on sexual assault link or email us at info@adaptwp.org.
ADAPT GAMBLING ad 2021.pdfADAPT vaping ad 2021.pdf
Rhonda Gunnell, PFS Program Coordinator, and Ginger Champagne, Epidemiologist, presents a check for $500 to Mt. Hermon Principal, Dawn Seal. Pictured left to right: Gunnell, Seal, Champagne
Schools Benefit From Partnership for Success
Through the Partnership for Success (PFS) grant, ADAPT has partnered closely with parish and city schools. Each school has received a $500 incentive check to be used with their PBIS program. Mini billboards have been posted near the entrance of each school with the message, “I Choose Education Over Drugs.” School teachers have been trained as facilitators to implement Life Skills Training in grades 7 and 8, and Generation Rx in grades 9 and 10. ADAPT is working with State Troopers to provide the “Sudden Impact” program to all 10th graders. ADAPT works diligently to educate our youth about the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse through the PFS grant and Drug Free Communities (DFC) grant. For additional information contact Rhonda Gunnell or Ginger Champagne at (985) 735-0160.
Fall Survey Coming Soon
Fall-Winter 2019 CADCA Newsletter.pdfWP Youth Coalition Featured in National CADCA Publication
Washington Parish Youth Coalition has been featured on the cover of the national CADCA December newsletter. This national recognition is a prestigious accomplishment. LaDerrick Smith is featured on pages 10-11 for his continued work across the nation. We are making a difference in our community and nationally. To read more, click the newsletter on the left.
NEWS: Increasing the minimum age of sale for tobacco products to at least 21 years old will significantly reduce youth tobacco use and save thousands of lives. Read more here.
LA Opioid Action Summit
Rusty Fornea and LaDarrick Smith co-present along with Generation RX at the LA Opioid Action Summit at The Harbor Center in Slidell, LA.
Rusty Fornea, ADAPT CEO, presents at the Louisiana Opioid Action Summit along with LaDarrick Smith. Opioids are a serious issue in our communities. It was good to see local, state, federal agencies and professionals so involved in working towards prevention and treatment
Serving Our Community
Riverside Medical Center Tailgate - WPYC members educating the community on the dangers of drug use.
Bogalusa High School, Franklinton High School and Varnado High School Washington Parish Youth Coalition members at work bringing awareness to students, faculties and parents.
Washington Parish Free Fair
Washington Parish Youth Coalition members, sponsors, and the ADAPT team making an impact at the Washington Parish Free Fair by educating the community on addiction. We are changing Washington Parish one event at a time. Contact us for more information.
Interested in learning the truth about opiate addiction?
"You can’t maintain an opiate addiction and a normal life for very long ." Dr. Bassam
Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict
LaDerrik Smith, CADCA Youth Trainer, represented Washington Parish's Youth Coalition in Grapevine, Texas as part of CADCA's 18th Annual Mid-Year Training Institute. Smith, along with fellow attendees, share their thoughts and stories.
Our Story
ADAPT, INC, a non-profit organization, offers sexual assault and domestic violence services, personal and pre-employment drug screens, individual or group counseling and a variety of prevention programs for the betterment of our community. ADAPT, INC offers a variety of prevention programs for the betterment of the community and educates on the use of underage drinking, non medical prescription drug abuse and opioid use. ADAPT, INC is a Louisiana Partnerships for Success partner.
