Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services
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Contact ADAPT @985-735-0160
Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services
Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services
Coalition of healthcare, law enforcement, faith based, educational based, and concerned citizens focus on identifying issues related to alcohol and drug use, healthcare, and social services in our communities. Sharing information on the issues and networking with the services available.
March 2026
Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services (WPCHS) held its monthly meeting on March 24, 2026, at the ADAPT Office. Dr. D. Jeffrey Mohr, Associate Program Director of the LSU Rural Family Medicine Residency, was the guest speaker and provided an overview of opioid use disorder and the ongoing opioid epidemic. He explained the progression of the crisis from prescription opioids to heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, which now account for the majority of overdose deaths. He also shared national and Louisiana-specific data highlighting the impact of opioid-related overdoses.
Dr. Mohr discussed treatment options, emphasizing medication-assisted treatment, particularly buprenorphine, which reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms without the same level of euphoria as full opioids. He noted barriers to treatment access, including the limited number of programs in Louisiana, and emphasized that recovery is often a long-term process focused on reducing cravings and supporting sustained recovery.
Attendees of the March meeting were: In person: Katasha August Robinson, Eryn Brannagan, Cheryl Bruton, Wendy Castillo, Ginger Champagne, Paula Charles, Glory Davis, Rusty Fornea, Emily French, Paige Garic, Sharon Gazaway, Jude Green, Rhonda Gunnell, Lauren Harmon, Leslie Holmes, Sonnet Ireland, Louis LaVie, Dr. Jeffrey Mohr, Becky Nave, Joey Peterson, Rachel Polk, Angela Shuckhart, Tiffany Smith, Rebecca Stogner, Caroline Theriot, Dana Walker, Ruben Watts, Tracy Williams; Via Zoom: Eunice Arthur, Brittny Costella, Demetra Dantzler, Wylisha Day, Elizabeth Garland, Julia Haverkamp, Marty Hennegan, Leslie Hodges, Lindsay Miller, Taffy Morrison, Brittney Soterpulos, Mecole Thompson, Cynthia Walls.
The next scheduled meeting for WPCHS will be on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at the ADAPT office, 216 Memphis Street, Bogalusa. Meetings are open to the public. For more information, contact Rusty Fornea at 985-735-0160.
February 2026
WPCHS Officer Installation
The Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services (WPCHS) installed its 2026 officers during the organization’s monthly meeting held on February 24, 2026. The installation ceremony was conducted by Rusty Fornea, Executive Director of ADAPT, Inc.
2026 Officers
2026 Officers
Dana Walker, President
Jason Fontenelle, Vice President
Elizabeth Garland, Second Vice President
Cheryl Bruton, Secretary
Paige Garic, Treasurer
Katasha August Robinson, Reporter
Tiffany Smith, Parliamentarian
The Coalition looks forward to continuing its mission of supporting and strengthening human services throughout Washington Parish under the leadership of its newly installed officers.
January 2026
WPCHS Meeting was cancelled due to freezing weather. The next meeting will be held on February 24, 2026, at ADAPT, 216 Memphis Street, Bogalusa. The meeting will begin at 9:30 am. All meetings are open to the public.
November 2025
Photo Caption: Shown above, from left: Thomas “Rusty” Fornea, ADAPT, Inc. Executive Director; Katie Kilpatrick, DCFS; Emma Ross, WPCHS President
Washington Parish Coalition on Human Services (WPCHS) held its monthly meeting on November 25, 2025, at the ADAPT Office. The guest speaker was Katie Kilpatrick, Child Welfare Consultant with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Ms. Kilpatrick provided an overview of the foster care system and shared current statistics for the Covington Region, which includes Washington Parish. The region currently has 511 children in foster care, but only 121 certified foster homes. In Washington Parish, 87 children are in care, with just four homes open to new placements. She noted the particular challenges of placing infants and the lack of any certified homes in the parish able to take youth ages 14 and older, often forcing children to be placed outside their home communities.
Ms. Kilpatrick also reviewed the foster parent certification process—background checks, home safety requirements, and designated sleeping space—as well as available financial supports, including monthly board payments, Medicaid coverage, and an annual extracurricular allowance. She encouraged community members to help by sharing information, hosting DCFS presentations, supporting organizations that assist foster families, or considering fostering themselves. Increasing the number of local foster homes, she emphasized, is critical to keeping children connected to their communities during a difficult time.
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