St. Charles Parish Community Action Advisory Board Meeting - May 13, 2026
St. Charles Parish Community Action Advisory Board Meeting - May 13, 2026
The meeting was called to order at 5:14 PM with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. A quorum was recognized and the minutes from the March 11, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously. The meeting included updates on summer programs, a detailed monthly program report, and scheduling for the next meeting.
Call to Order & Administrative Actions
- The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance at 5:14 PM.
- A motion to recognize a quorum was approved.
- The minutes from the March 11, 2026 meeting were approved by a voice vote.
Old Business
- Alternate Designation: With summer approaching, board members may need alternates. Donnie White has volunteered to serve as an alternate for any member who needs one. Members can also designate their own alternate; if the alternate is not already in the system, a form must be filled out and submitted to staff.
Discussion Items
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Director’s Report – Summer Programs: The Director summarized the upcoming summer food and enrichment programs. The summer food program runs six weeks, Monday through Thursday, at two sites: RK Smith (West Bank) and Harry Hearst (East Bank). Free bus service picks up children from neighborhoods (similar to school routes) and brings them to the sites for a hot meal and activities. Parents may also drive their children to the sites between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM; parents can purchase a meal for a nominal fee ($3 last year). The program is federally funded through the state of Louisiana, with support from United Way (facility costs) and St. Charles Parish (bus and staffing). Last year, 5,000 meals were served. The summer enrichment program (fee-based, $200 per child for six weeks) operates at three sites: St. Rose (full), Booty, and Killona. St. Rose is at capacity, but openings remain at Booty and Killona. United Way provides scholarships for families who cannot afford the fee. A board member suggested a new field trip location in New Orleans (a golf-themed venue) and recommended informing the enrichment coordinator. Another member asked about potential transportation to shuttle children from St. Rose to other centers, but the Director noted that bus service is expensive and that any expansion requires careful planning and 501c3 status for church partners. The budget for the next fiscal year will be prepared in July and voted on in October.
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Monthly Program Report (Sheila): The report covered March and April 2026 activities across multiple programs:
- LIHEAP Cooling Allocation: 117 clients served, 182 household members impacted, $53,700 expended.
- LIHEAP Crisis Allocation: 45 clients, 108 household members, $14,094.56 expended.
- Emergency Assistance: 15 water, 10 electric, 20 rent, 1 shelter, 1 food/clothes clients; $16,404.15 expended.
- Adema Energy Program (shelter): 7 clients, 17 household members, $2,143.93 expended.
- Second Harvest Food Program: 123 clients, 223 household members, $28,160.20 expended.
- Health & Safety Program: $16,832.82 expended for electrical and plumbing repairs on homes.
- USDA HPG Grant: $36,876.92 expended for slab pipe replacement, HVAC installation, and other repairs.
- Ramp Program: Two handicap ramps built via contractor, one with grab bars and widened door; four qualified homeowners awaiting ramps.
- Center Activities: St. Rose – after-school drop-in (129 participants), before-school drop-in (89), facility use (119), Easter tea (13). Killona – after-school drop-in (788), facility use (33), computer lab (3), bingo (14), Easter tea (18). Booty – after-school drop-in (30). 2,901 snacks served across all centers. SNAP applications were also processed.
Key Outcomes
- The board approved the minutes from March 11, 2026.
- The alternate designation process was clarified; Donnie White is available as an alternate.
- Board members were encouraged to post summer food flyers and menus in their communities.
- The next meeting is scheduled for June 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM. There will be no July meeting.
- The meeting was adjourned with a closing prayer.
Meeting Transcript
My mic's on. Okay, hit the gamble. Tap tap tap. Honestly, that was very light. All right. That was very light. You hear me? Yeah. That was a blessing, ladies. Thank you. Um St. Charles. Call this meeting to order. What a laugh. St. Charles Parish Community Action Board Meeting. Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 514 PM, calling it to order with the prayer and the pledge of lesion. Father God, thank you for this day. Thank you for the laugh. Thank you for giving the smiles to all the members here at the meeting. And with your name, Jesus, I say amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic. For which it stands, one nation under God, individual with liberty and justice for all. Recognizing that we do have a quorum on today. All in favor. Motion. Motion to recognize that we have a quorum. Make a motion. Make a motion. All in favor. From March 11th, 2026. I approve of the um previous agenda in the previous meeting. All those in favor. All those in favor. Thank you. I'm really struggling here today. Yeah. Okay. Miss Diaz. Anyway, I'll jump in on the jump in on the update. Alternate, only old business, alternate designation. Summertime's coming. People will be traveling or whatever. Um, we do have one person notified us that they need an alternate. Uh Donnie White's willing to be an alternate for anybody who needs it. And or you can designate anyone you want to be an alternate. If uh, but just if they do, and they're not in my system. I need to get a fill form filled out. Just contact Sheila or myself, and we've we can do that. Um, so you want me to jump in on report?
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