PART II. PLAN; PARISHES

§1035. Strategic Plan to Combat Poverty; Northeast and targeted parishes

            A. The plan shall be available and applicable throughout the state. However, as a priority, the plan shall specifically target the following northeast and targeted parishes for inclusion within priority economic development zones by the secretary of the Department of Economic Development, as provided for in R.S. 36:104(A)(14) and for inclusion within priority health care zones by the secretary of health and hospitals, as provided for in R.S. 36:254(A)(12):

            (1) Caldwell.

            (2) Catahoula.

            (3) Concordia.

            (4) East Carroll.

            (5) Franklin.

            (6) Jackson.

            (7) LaSalle.

            (8) Lincoln.

            (9) Madison.

            (10) Morehouse.

            (11) Ouachita.

            (12) Richland.

            (13) Tensas.

            (14) Union.

            (15) West Carroll.

            (16) Webster.

(17) St. Charles.

(18) St. John.

(19) Vermilion.

(20) Acadia.

(21) Washington.

(22) Tangipahoa.

(23) Iberville.

(24) Assumption.

(25) Avoyelles.

(26) St. James.

(27) DeSoto.

(28) Terrebonne.

(29) Lafourche.

(30) Calcasieu.

(31) Cameron.

(32) West Bank of Ascension.

(33) East Feliciana.

(34) West Feliciana.

(35) St. Helena.

(36) East Baton Rouge.

            B.(1) The plan shall require the secretaries of the Departments of Economic Development and Health and Hospitals to aid the parishes within the state's economically disadvantaged regions as provided for in Subsection A of this Section. The secretaries shall coordinate any and all assistance that may be obtained through state or federal anti-poverty, health care or economic development stimulus plans or programs.

            (2) The secretary of the Department of Economic Development shall create priority economic development zones throughout the regions of the state, as provided for in Subsection A of this Section, and shall also specifically provide coordination and assistance to existing economic development districts, in particular, the Southside Economic Development District of the city of Monroe, the Downtown Economic Development District of the city of Monroe, and the Northeast Economic Development District.

            (3) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health shall create priority health care zones throughout the state, taking into account federally designated health professional shortage areas and those parishes as provided for in Subsection A of this Section.

            (4) The Louisiana Workforce Investment Council shall aid in the development and implementation of the Strategic Plan to Combat Poverty by coordinating and integrating a workforce development system.

            (5)(a) The Louisiana Board of Regents shall aid in the development and implementation of the Strategic Plan to Combat Poverty in an attempt to reduce poverty by improving educational opportunities.

            (b) Educational opportunities shall be provided by preparing each child academically and by providing caring, quality, and certified teachers in every classroom with adequate educational resources and by furnishing strong leadership.

            Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 162, §3, eff. April 26, 2002; Acts 2008, No. 743, §7, eff. July 1, 2008.