The recipient entity's physical address:
           1700 Buckner Square, Suite 101
Shreveport, LA 71101

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           1700 Buckner Square, Suite 101
Shreveport, LA 71101

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

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Kathie Boyett
Tari Bradford
Desiree Earle-Willeford
Bobby Edmiston
Bettye McCauley
Dr. Bruce McCormick
Donna McLallen
Rev. Billy Pierce
Margaret Rutledge
James M. Ryan
Carolyn Tanner
Sgt. Steve Whatley
David L. White
(from Articles of Incorporation, Secretary of State date stamp 06/09/1998)

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  0471

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $50,000

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:
           Julianna Parks, President
401 Market Street, Suite 1100
Shreveport, LA 71101

Waynette Ballengee, Vice President
10897 Sunrise Point
Shreveport, LA 71106

Mary Toni Cameron, Treasurer
379 Perdido Circle
Shreveport, LA 71106

John Tuggle, Secretary
885 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop
Shreveport, LA 71118

Linden Adams
10002 Winding Ridge
Shreveport, LA 71106

Alexandra Aiello
204 Burt Boulevard
Benton, LA 71006

Sonya Attaway
1138 Waters Edge Circle
Shreveport, LA 71106

Debbie Chandler, M.D.
9572 Rochel Drive
Shreveport, LA 71115

Macy Flash
901 Tatum Street
Shreveport, LA 71107

Larry Nunnery, Sr.
120 Sand Valley Lane
Shreveport, LA 71107

Gregory Shyne
3236 Pines Road
Shreveport, LA 71119

Teresa Thibodeaux
773 Hackberry Drive
Bossier City, LA 71111

David L. White
3985 Airline Drive
Bossier City, LA 71111

Jessica Milan Miller, M.A., MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Gingerbread House
1700 Buckner Square, Suite 101
Shreveport, LA 71101

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           The Gingerbread House Bossier-Caddo Children’s Advocacy Center is a community-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1998 for the purpose of developing a collaborative response to cases of child abuse in Bossier and Caddo parishes. At that time, the conviction rate of offenders was less than 5%. As a result of our collaborative approach, 97% of cases accepted by the District Attorney's Offices are now successfully prosecuted. Our service area has also grown to include all of northwest Louisiana (Caddo, Bossier, Webster, DeSoto, Bienville, Claiborne, Natchitoches, Red River, and Sabine parishes).

The Gingerbread House is an Accredited Member of National Children’s Alliance, thus showing compliance with national best practice standards and excellence of care; as well as Louisiana Alliance of Children's Advocacy Centers, the state association. The mission of the Gingerbread House is to lessen the trauma experienced by child abuse victims as allegations are investigated and to provide support for the child victim throughout the investigation, prosecution, and treatment phases of cases. Out of the 15 child advocacy centers in the state of Louisiana, the GBH handles the heaviest forensic interview case load.

Our Child Advocacy Program includes seven core components: forensic interviews, multidisciplinary investigations, child life, family advocacy, counseling, prevention education/professional training, and anti-human trafficking care. All services are provided free of charge so that no child is ever turned away due to the family's inability to pay for services. Our 25 collaborative partners include law enforcement, child protective services, district attorneys, medical and mental health agencies. Supported by a signed Interagency Agreement, these agencies have come together as one through our Multidisciplinary Team to respond
to cases of child abuse.

In 2020:
784 child abuse victims received forensic interviews, multidisciplinary investigations, child life, and family advocacy services.
73 at-risk and confirmed victims of child sex trafficking received comprehensive direct services and case management services.
194 child abuse victims and their non-offending caregivers received trauma-informed counseling services.
26,950 children and adults participated in child sexual abuse prevention education sessions.

The program seeks to continue all of these services for child abuse victims in northwest Louisiana.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $566,888
          Professional Services. . . $12,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $471,112
          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?
          During the past twenty-three years, the Gingerbread House has focused its efforts on developing a comprehensive program to address the problem of child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, child sex
trafficking, and the needs of child abuse victims in northwest Louisiana.

In 2020:
¿ 784 child abuse victims received forensic interviews, multidisciplinary investigations, child life and family
advocacy services.
¿ 73 at-risk and confirmed child victims of human trafficking received direct care services and case management.
¿ 194 child abuse victims and their non-offending caregivers received trauma-informed counseling services.
¿ 26,950 children and adults received prevention education services.
¿ All services were offered free of charge to child victims
of abuse and their families.

Without the Gingerbread House, child victims of abuse would have a fragmented response system and no professional forensic interview services in northwest Louisiana. In essence, the community would revert to before the Gingerbread House was founded, when child victims were often re-victimized by the very system charged
with the responsibility to protect them. The Gingerbread House Bossier/Caddo Children's Advocacy Center is committed to making a positive impact in northwest Louisiana for years to come.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Goal: To provide forensic interviews, multidisciplinary investigations, child life, and family advocacy services to 800 or more alleged victims or witnesses of child abuse annually.
Measurement Technique: Count number of forensic interviews conducted.
Benefit to Public: Reduction of trauma to child victims or child witnesses of abuse.

Goal: To offer trauma-focused counseling services to 150 or more child victims annually.
Measurement Technique: Count number of children receiving counseling services.
Benefit to Public: Reduction of social and emotional effects of victimization.

Goal: To provide prevention education on child abuse issues to 25,000 or more children and adults
annually.
Measurement Technique: Count number of presentations and participants.
Benefit to Public: Reduction of child abuse and secondary effects in the community.

Goal: To provide human trafficking case management and services to 25 at-risk or confirmed victims of child sex trafficking annually.
Measurement Technique: Count number of child victims receiving services.
Benefit to Public: Reduction of trauma to child victims.

Goal: To serve as a liaison among the different agency members of the Multidisciplinary Team by communicating the specific needs of victims’ families.
Measurement Technique: Count number of case review meetings and number of cases assessed at team
meetings.
Benefit to Public: Improved quality and coordination of community services and reduction in duplication of services.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           12 months

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:
                 N/A

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

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:
                N/A

          What is the nature of the relationship?  N/A

(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:  Jessica Milan Miller, M.A., MBA 
                                       address:  Gingerbread House Bossier-Caddo Children's Advocacy Center, Inc.
1700 Buckner Square, Suite 101
Shreveport, LA 71101
                                       phone:  (318) 674-2900
                                       fax:  (318) 674-8141
                                       e-mail:  jmilan@gingerbreadhousecac.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Chief Executive Officer