Events

This year marked the 30^th Anniversary of the Team Spirit Program, a peer led prevention model originally developed by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the United States Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.  Team Spirit 2019 took place at Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever, LA, June 25 through June 28, 2019.  With 77 campers and 11 Team Assistants (youth leaders) in attendance, it turned out to be a rewarding experience for all.   Many speakers from the community shared their expertise as they delivered prevention and training education to middle and high school students.    Although the emphasis of the program was leadership and skills development, there were also plenty of opportunities for networking and just plain fun.

The Team Spirit program and training process seeks to impact student attitudes and beliefs through a variety of strategies and activities.  Youth are trained and exposed to new ideas and are expected to share those ideas with their peers.  These young people also strengthen their resolve and ability to remain alcohol and drug free.  By working together and with other students in their schools and communities, they plan to become effective in creating positive change.

Team Spirit 2019 was worth all the challenges that were overcome to make it happen! There were so many amazing new students participating in Team Spirit for the first time, including a 7^th grade student who has written a book, “Dreamer Against Bullying.”

On the last day of Team Spirit we interviewed some students to get feedback on Team Spirit 2019.

This is what two of them had to say:

Landon Austin attended Team Spirit for the first time and will attend either Ellender High School or South Terrebonne next school year in grade 9.  He said he heard about the Team Spirit Program through Le Cirque and was so glad he was able to attend.  One of his favorite things about Team Spirit was meeting new people.  If he could change one thing about Team Spirit it would be to add red beans and rice to the menu.

Christopher Harris will attend Terrebonne High school as a 9th grade student, and this was his second Team Spirit experience.  He learned about Team Spirit through the school resource officer, Sargent Harker, aka “Mr. Steve.”  He liked the fact that he was meeting and working with other youth who are passionate about sharing the drug free lifestyle and healthy choices message.  If he could change one thing about Team Spirit it would be to make it longer.

Stop the Violence Day Camp is a 1 day camp where children, Ages 8-14, received courses in self-care, bullying, suicide awareness, drug awareness, social skills and character building. The camp was sponsored by South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority, 23rd JDC Families in Need of Services of St. James Parish, Magnolia Family Services, and Options for Independence.

SCLHSA and its partner agencies the St. Charles, Lafourche, and Terrebonne Sheriff’s Offices hosted a Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for Law Enforcement Officers the week of June 3-7, 2019. CIT is a free 40-hour training that is known nationally as the Memphis Model. The course provides law enforcement-based crisis intervention training for safe intervention with persons experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The training covered: foundations of mental illness and substance disorders, understanding persons with developmental disabilities, psychotropic medications, community resources, and practicums. Law Enforcement Officers from Jefferson, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. John, St. Tammany, and Terrebonne Parishes completed the course.

The Summer Recreation Camp was a FREE 5-day camp where children participated in various recreational activities along with presentations on life skills. The Event was sponsored by the Bayou L’Ourse Recreation District and SCLHSA.