The recipient entity's physical address:
           *** Confidential Address ***

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           monroe@bdpa.org

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  0139

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $350,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Essie Maxwell, President
1500 N 19th St, Monroe LA 71201
Business Cell 318 348 9168

Dominique McCraney, Vice President
Business Cell: 662 616 8001
dominique.mcraney@gmail.com


Krystal Johnson, Secretary/Treasure
36185 Pleasant Hill CT
Prairieville, LA 70769
Business Cell: 318 572 9206
kjohnson1908@aol.com

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           The US Army is projected to miss its recruiting goals by tens of thousands, alone. A couple of reasons for the significant high reduction is due to;


1. Overweight- Being overweight is the number one reason civilians are disqualified from joining the military, and it’s only getting worse.
2. Education- Having a high school diploma or GED is essential but with the military being more strict in their selection, having a GED or high school diploma doesn’t guarantee anything.


Our JROTC program's primary focus is to reduce or eliminate the top two reasons for disqualifications, while reducing the crime and violence within the rural communities, while restoring the pride and dignity of our Great Americans! Our program will provide opportunities for high paying wages and first time homebuyers, while generating real economic revenue for the rural communities to rebuild.


Northeast Louisiana has some rural parishes that do not offer JROTC within the high school system. BDPA STEM Academy's strategic plan is to implement a JROTC IT workforce for the US Military in these rural communities with or without a JROTC program. In collaboration with West Point Academy, our trained cadets will have an opportunity to attend one of the most prestigious military academies in the US.


Louisiana Legislators in the House and Senate passed unanimously bipartisan HCR 90 2023 session to pilot IT training for non violent inmates prior to enlisting in the Army. This process will reduce the Army’s training by 1.5 years. In addition, HCR 90 provides a strong collaboration and partnership with the Army to reach back and start with high school students. This concept is supported by US Senator Bill Cassidy, Congresswoman Julia Letlow and Congressman Troy Carter. By expanding the training to JROTC cadets, it allows the process to start early and not wait until they are incarcerated.


Our goal is to educate, train, provide exposure and real live experiences for the JROTC cadets, which will propel them to the top of the class.We desire to change the perception of students' ideas concerning the US Military. BDPA JROTC program enrolled 55 students with 25 JROTC cadets in Ouachita Parish this year.
We believe these individuals will reside in their rural hometown and give back to their communities to improve economic development by using their skills and talents to build back rural communities to become communities that attract top companies that work with the military to provide services and goods. This can only happen, if a strong IT workforce is present. Camden, Arkansas is a good example for turning a small rural town into a mega city with top military companies residing and employing rural residents. We can do this in Northeast Louisiana with the assistance of the BDPA STEM Academy JROTC program.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $175,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $175,000
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          Yes

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          To build a strong JROTC program for Northeast Louisiana rural communities, while providing Information Technology (IT) industry certifications. The requested funds will provide an opportunity to enroll 50-100 JROTC cadets in rural communities and purchase required equipment and software to prepare them to start working in their IT careers immediately.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          The goals: 1. Increase the US Military recruiting goals 2. Provide an Information Technology workforce for the military. Provide a real live military experience while still in high school 3. Obesity reduction to satisfy military qualification

Objective: 1. Implement a JROTC after school program for rural communities in Northeast Louisiana to the Mississippi River
2. Recruit 50-100 JROTC cadets
3. Proactively collaborate with the local mayors and others to develop an executable comprehensive plan for that rural community
4. Educate and train cadets to obtain Information Technology industry certifications
5. Hands on learning to build command centers according the military guidelines
6 Implement Weight Management Program: Awareness, food management, exercises and mental well being coach.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           The course is 12-18mos, which includes a 3 month required Tech Pack prerequisite class on computer skills and beginners coding.

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 N/A
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 N/A

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                 

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               N/A

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               N/A

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
               

          What is the nature of the relationship? 

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 N/A

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               N/A


Contact Information
name:  Essie Maxwell 
                                       address:  1500 N 19th St Monroe LA, 71201
                                       phone:  318 348 9168
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  monroe@bdpa.org
                                       relationship to entity:  President