The recipient entity's physical address:
           3107 Claiborne Circle, Monroe, LA 71201

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           3107 Claiborne Circle, Monroe, LA 71201

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:  8253

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $1,500,000

What type of request is this?  Capital Outlay 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:
           CECILIA SULLIVAN, President 3107 CLAIBORNE CIRCLE, MONROE, LA 71201
SHADE RODRIGUEZ, Vice President, 110 OAKWOOD DRIVE, WEST MONROE,LA 71291
MITZI REED, Secretary 4035 TIZDALE, EROS, LA 71238,
ROY BAAS, Treasurer, 322 LATHAM LANE, MONROE, LA 71202
KRISTI MCCORMICK, Member at Large, 336 LEA Drive, WEST MONROE, LA 71291

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Growing Hope, Inc. respectfully requests $1,500,000 in startup and capital support to establish the Region 8 Community Crisis, Recovery and Workforce Technology Hub in Monroe, Louisiana. The initiative will create a permanent, community-based behavioral health resource serving the 12 parishes of Region 8: Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union and West Carroll. It will give individuals, families, law enforcement, EMS, hospitals, schools and courts a dependable response when someone is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.

Too often, people in crisis are transported to an emergency department or jail because no timely community alternative is available. Growing Hope, Inc. will develop dedicated mobile crisis capacity so trained behavioral health professionals and peer recovery specialists can respond where the crisis is occurring, assess immediate needs, reduce the intensity of the situation, create a safe plan and connect the individual to appropriate care. The program will emphasize timely response, trauma-informed engagement, clinical oversight, peer support, coordinated referrals and follow-up. When clinically appropriate and measurable, it will help reduce avoidable emergency department use and incarceration while improving access to treatment and recovery resources.

The proposed hub will serve as the operational center for crisis deployment, referral coordination, clinical supervision, documentation, training, quality assurance, reporting and community education. Funding will support acquisition and preparation of a permanent facility; program leadership; licensed clinical personnel; peer recovery specialists; a crisis and referral coordinator; on-call coverage; response vehicles; communications and safety equipment; technology; insurance; compliance systems; training; outreach; and first-year operations. This infrastructure will create a reliable regional response system instead of a temporary or fragmented program.

The project recognizes that a crisis does not end when the immediate situation is stabilized. Staff will help individuals access treatment, peer support, safe housing, transportation, benefits, education and employment. Growing Hope, Inc. will strengthen referral pathways with first responders, hospitals, healthcare providers, schools, courts, treatment programs, recovery organizations, housing resources and workforce partners. A Technology and Workforce Learning Lab will provide computer access, digital-literacy education, resume development, job-search support, virtual training and workforce referrals. These services will address barriers that can contribute to instability and repeated crises.

Implementation will occur during the first 12 months and will include facility due diligence and preparation, staff recruitment, equipment and vehicle purchases, policy development, partner coordination, training and phased implementation. Growing Hope, Inc. will measure referrals, mobile responses, response times, treatment connections, peer engagements, follow-up completion, disposition outcomes, hospital or jail diversion when measurable, learning-lab participation and workforce connections. Quarterly program and financial reports will document outcomes, restricted expenditures and responsible stewardship of public funds.

The long-term goal is to convert this one-time investment into durable regional capacity. Growing Hope, Inc. will pursue public and private grants, foundation and employer partnerships, community sponsorships, in-kind technology. This investment will create a visible, accountable and lasting resource that strengthens the Region 8 behavioral health safety net and helps residents move from crisis to stability, recovery, independence and opportunity. It will also strengthen coordination across Region 8.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $634,800
          Professional Services. . . $35,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $45,000
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $688,500
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $25,000
          Operating Services. . . . $71,700
          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?
          Not Applicable

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The public purpose of this request is to strengthen the behavioral health safety net across Louisiana's Region 8 by creating reliable, community-based crisis response, recovery navigation and stabilization resources for residents experiencing mental health or substance use crises. State funds will establish lasting infrastructure benefiting Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union and West Carroll parishes. The investment will support individuals and families while also assisting law enforcement, EMS, hospitals, schools, courts, healthcare providers and other agencies responsible for responding when a person is in crisis.

Residents experiencing a behavioral health crisis are often transported to an emergency department or jail when a timely community response is unavailable. Growing Hope, Inc. will use state funds to build dedicated mobile crisis capacity so trained behavioral health professionals and peer recovery specialists can respond where a crisis occurs, assess immediate needs, reduce its intensity, create a safe plan and connect the individual to appropriate treatment and support. When clinically appropriate and measurable, the program will help reduce avoidable emergency department use and incarceration, improve coordination and promote safer outcomes for residents, families and responders.

State monies will provide the startup and capital resources required to acquire and prepare a permanent crisis and recovery hub in Monroe; recruit personnel; establish on-call coverage; purchase response vehicles, response equipment and technology; develop compliance, documentation and reporting systems; train staff and partners; and support operations. The hub will serve as the regional center for mobile deployment, clinical oversight, referrals, follow-up, quality assurance, data collection and community education. Grant-funded property, personnel expenses and activities will remain dedicated to the approved public purpose and will be supported by separate accounting and documented restricted expenditures.

The public benefit extends beyond immediate stabilization. People experiencing repeated crises often face barriers involving treatment, housing, transportation, identification, benefits, digital access, education and employment. Growing Hope, Inc. will provide recovery navigation and coordinated referrals that support long-term stability. A Technology and Workforce Learning Lab will offer computer and internet access, digital-literacy education, resume and job-search assistance, online training and workforce connections. Addressing these practical barriers will help residents build stability, reduce recurring crises and increase their ability to participate in their families, communities and the regional economy.

Growing Hope, Inc. will strengthen referral pathways with first responders, hospitals, schools, courts, treatment providers, recovery organizations, housing resources, workforce agencies and other partners throughout the 12-parish region. It will demonstrate responsible stewardship through board oversight, conflict-of-interest procedures, separate financial tracking and regular reporting. Measures will include referrals, mobile responses, treatment connections, peer engagements, follow-up completion, hospital or jail diversion when measurable, learning-lab participation and workforce connections. These measures will allow Growing Hope, Inc. and the State to evaluate whether funds are producing meaningful public benefit.

The ultimate public purpose is to improve safety, expand access to care, reduce pressure on emergency and justice systems, strengthen coordination among public and community partners and help Region 8 residents move from crisis to stability, recovery, independence and opportunity.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Growing Hope, Inc.'s goal is to establish a coordinated, accountable and sustainable behavioral health response system that gives Region 8 residents timely assistance during a mental health or substance use crisis and connects them to resources supporting long-term stability.

1. Establish the regional hub. Growing Hope, Inc. will acquire or prepare a safe facility in Monroe to serve as the center for mobile crisis deployment, oversight, referrals, peer support, training, documentation, reporting, education and the Technology and Workforce Learning Lab. Facility preparation will address safety, accessibility, communications, technology and operational needs.

2. Build a qualified workforce. Growing Hope, Inc. will recruit, train and retain program leadership, licensed clinical personnel, peer recovery specialists, a crisis and referral coordinator and on-call staff. Training will address crisis assessment, de-escalation, trauma-informed care, suicide risk, substance use crises, safety, documentation, confidentiality, community resources and follow-up. Clinical supervision and quality review will promote consistent service delivery.

3. Create reliable mobile response capacity. State funds will support response vehicles, communications technology, safety equipment, scheduling systems, on-call coverage and written procedures. Protocols will guide referral intake, response decisions, staff deployment, documentation, care coordination and follow-up. The objective is to provide a dependable community alternative when an emergency department, law-enforcement response or incarceration is not clinically necessary.

4. Strengthen regional partnerships. Growing Hope, Inc. will develop working relationships with law enforcement, EMS, hospitals, healthcare providers, schools, courts, probation and parole, treatment programs, recovery organizations, housing resources, workforce agencies, libraries and colleges.

5.Support recovery and reduce recurring crises. Each response will address immediate stabilization and the conditions contributing to the crisis. Staff will provide peer engagement, recovery navigation and follow-up based on individual needs. The program will work to increase completed treatment connections, improve continuity of care and reduce avoidable repeat crises, emergency department use and justice-system involvement when those outcomes can be measured responsibly.

6.Establish the Technology and Workforce Learning Lab. The lab will provide computer and internet access, digital-literacy education, online-application assistance, resume development, job-search support, virtual education and workforce referrals. These services will address barriers affecting housing, employment, benefits, treatment access and stability. Participation and workforce outcomes will be documented separately from clinical services.

7. Measure performance and protect public funds. Growing Hope, Inc. will track referrals, mobile responses, response times, treatment connections, peer engagements, follow-up completion, dispositions, hospital or jail diversion when measurable, lab participation and workforce connections. Quarterly program and financial reports will document progress, challenges, restricted expenditures and corrective actions. Board oversight, conflict-of-interest procedures, separate accounting and written agreements will support transparency.

8. Develop sustainability. During the first year, Growing Hope, Inc. will use service data to evaluate staffing, geographic coverage, partner needs and operating costs. The organization will pursue public and private grants, foundation and employer partnerships, sponsorships, in-kind support and reimbursement for eligible services only if the nonprofit becomes separately licensed and authorized to bill. The objective is to reduce dependence on startup funding while preserving the public benefit created by the State's investment.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           12 months for startup, facility readiness and full first-year implementation, followed by ongoing operation and sustainability development.

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:
                
    
     (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:
                

     (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: 
               

(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:
              

          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:
                 Northeast Delta Human Services Authority, 2513 Ferrand St, Monroe, LA 71201

Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, 504 Mayflower Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               Growing Hope, Inc. participates in a MOU with Region 8 mobile crisis partnership through which it deploys trained personnel to provide community-based crisis response, stabilization, referral and connection to care, with Northeast Delta Human Services Authority providing regional coordination, administration, quality assurance or oversight as specified in the executed agreement.
Growing Hope, Inc. also maintains a housing arrangement connected to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections program referenced in its board minutes, through which eligible individuals receive structured housing and related support.


Contact Information
name:  Cecilia Sullivan 
                                       address:  Growing Hope, Inc
3107 Claiborne Circle
Monroe, LA 71201
                                       phone:  3187891773
                                       fax:  3187377639
                                       e-mail:  cecilia@growinghoperecovery.com
                                       relationship to entity:  President