Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NE Delta HSA), which directs the operation of community-based services for citizens with mental health issues, addictive disorders and developmental disabilities, conducted two events this week with Wossman High School students to help equip them for success within their community and beyond its borders.
Today, NE Delta HSA conducted a focus group with 20 students on the Wossman campus. The agency’s executive director led a dialogue that encouraged expression of students’ concerns, discussed ways to work through solutions to problems and provided encouragement to set goals and pursue their dreams. Earlier this week, NE Delta HSA hosted additional Wossman students for a job-shadow experience with executive staff. The students learned about professional careers that are available in the health and human services field.
“It’s so important that young people take part in making their communities strong,” said Dr. Monteic A. Sizer, NE Delta HSA Executive Director. “Not only do we want students to have access to the healthcare services they may need for themselves or their families, but we also want to encourage them to participate in making positive contributions to society.”
The NE Delta HSA Opportunity Zone grew out of the agency’s faith-based mental health community summits, and the initiative works to engage the south Monroe community toward positive health outcomes. It is one of several NE Delta HSA-initiated regional coalitions that are designed to transform communities and reduce mental health and addiction prevalence, improve primary healthcare outcomes, reduce crime rates, enhance academic performance, equip faith and community leaders and establish and support public policies.
NE Delta HSA uses an integrative behavioral and primary healthcare approach to serve its citizens, which ensures that people have access to services and prevention programs that can positively impact their mental and physical health. This approach also addresses social health determinants that can pose barriers to positive health outcomes, like poverty, crime and workforce issues. For more information about the NE Delta HSA Opportunity Zone, click here.
“Our work within the NE Delta HSA Opportunity Zone is not intended to be a one-time activity or even a set of activities just for the sake of filling time,” said Dr. Sizer. “Rather, we established this coalition to truly help and lift those who have the desire to learn and better themselves, their families and their communities. Success requires citizens to use sound decision-making every day, so that when they see positive opportunities for growth, they know how to take personal responsibility to envision and build themselves a productive and rewarding life.”
Click here to see photos from today’s Opportunity Zone event on the NE Delta HSA Facebook page.
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About Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NE Delta HSA)
Northeast Delta HSA directs the operation of community-based programs to improve the quality of life of people with major mental illness, developmental disabilities and addictive disorders. Northeast Delta HSA is devoted to deliver programs and services that encourage people to reach their true human potential.
Three tenets guide our efforts: excellent customer service, greater access to services and competent, quality care. Northeast Delta HSA serves citizens in 12 parishes of northeastern Louisiana: Caldwell, East Carroll, West Carroll, Ouachita, Lincoln, Madison, Franklin, Morehouse, Jackson, Tensas, Richland and Union. For more information, please call 318-362-3270.
NE Delta HSA Media Contact:
Jill Hirsekorn
Public Information Director
2513 Ferrand Street ▪ Monroe, Louisiana 71201
Phone 318-362-3270
jill.hirsekorn@la.gov
NE Delta HSA Press and Media
