RAPIDES FOUNDATION
1101 FOURTH STREET SUITE 300, ALEXANDRIA, LA 71301 www.rapidesfoundation.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: THE MISSION OF THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION (TRF) IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH STATUS OF CENTRAL LOUISIANA.

THE MISSION OF THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION (TRF) IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH STATUS OF CENTRAL LOUISIANA. TRF IS A MEMBER OF RAPIDES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM LLC, WHICH OWNS AND OPERATES RAPIDES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, A 328-BED HOSPITAL IN ALEXANDRIA. ADDITIONALLY, TRF PROVIDES FUNDING FOR PROJECTS WHICH EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING PHILANTHROPIC OBJECTIVES: HEALTHY PEOPLE - TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND PROMOTE HEALTHY BEHAVIORS. EDUCATION - TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT AS THE PRIMARY PATH TO IMPROVED ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND HEALTH STATUS. HEALTHY COMMUNITIES - TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND FAMILY INCOME; AND ENHANCE CIVIC AND COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE EFFECTIVE LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONS.

ACUTE-CARE HOSPITAL SERVICES THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION IS A MEMBER OF RAPIDES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM LLC (RHS), WHICH OWNS AND OPERATES RAPIDES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (RRMC), A 380-BED HOSPITAL IN ALEXANDRIA, LA. AS AN OWNER OF RHS, TRF SEEKS TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF PATIENT CARE, SUPPORT HEALTHCARE ACCESS FOR THE UNINSURED/UNDERSERVED POPULATION, AND MEET THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT STANDARDS UNDER 501(C)(3) AND 501(R) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CODE. DURING THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019, RRMC ADMITTED 14,742 PATIENTS, CARED FOR 77,460 PATIENTS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM, AND FACILITATED 11,988 SURGERIES. RAPIDES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM PROVIDED $3.8 MILLION IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT DURING 2019 TO THE LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY FAMILY PRACTICE RESIDENCY PROGRAM NEAR ITS CAMPUS. IN 2019 THE PROGRAM GRADUATED 6 PHYSICIANS AND ACCEPTED 6 NEW RESIDENTS INTO ITS THREE-YEAR PROGRAM. SINCE ITS BEGINNING IN1997, THE PROGRAM HAS GRADUATED 123 PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS, SUPPORTING ITS MISSION TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OF PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS IN THE REGION. CENTRAL LOUISIANA IS DESIGNATED A PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SHORTAGE AREA (HPSA). THE HOSPITAL ALSO SUPPORTS RESIDENTS FROM TULANE UNIVERSITY IN THE AREA OF GYNECOLOGY AND OPHTHALMOLOGY AND FROM LSU IN THE AREA OF ORAL MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY. IN LATE 2013, AS PART OF THE LOUISIANA GOVERNOR'S PLANS TO PRIVATIZE THE STATE'S SYSTEM OF CHARITY HOSPITALS, REPRESENTATIVES OF RAPIDES HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION AND THE OTHER LARGE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL IN THE REGION REACHED AGREEMENT TO CLOSE THE REGION'S CHARITY HOSPITAL AND MOVE SERVICES TO THE TWO EXISTING HOSPITALS. ACCORDINGLY, THE TWO HOSPITALS AGREED TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY AND INPATIENT SERVICES AS WELL AS ESTABLISH NEW URGENT, PRIMARY AND SPECIALTY CARE CLINICS IN THE COMMUNITY FOR INDIGENT PATIENTS UNDER A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE. IN 2019 RAPIDES OPERATED TWO HP LONG CLINIC LOCATIONS THAT PROVIDED URGENT, PRIMARY AND SPECIALTY CARE TO MEDICAID, MEDICARE AND UNINSURED PATIENTS. DURING THE YEAR 48,640 PATIENTS RECEIVED SERVICES THAT INCLUDED PRIMARY CARE, GENERAL SURGERY, CARDIOLOGY, ORTHOPEDICS, GYNECOLOGY, OPHTHALMOLOGY, ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY, DENTAL CARE AND URGENT CARE. ADDITIONALLY, THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION'S CENLA MEDICATION ACCESS PROGRAM (CMAP) PROVIDED 16,091 NO-COST MEDICATIONS TO THESE PATIENTS (AT A WHOLESALE VALUE OF $5.8 MILLION) THROUGH ITS PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND CENTRAL FILL PHARMACY. RAPIDES PROVIDED AN ADDITIONAL 681 PRESCRIPTIONS TO PATIENTS FOR $4 EACH OR LESS THROUGH A PRESCRIPTION CARD PROGRAM. THESE MEDICATIONS WOULD HAVE COST PATIENTS AN AVERAGE $22 EACH. HCA HONORED RRMC NURSING UNITS THROUGH ITS 2019 UNITS OF DISTINCTION AWARDS, THE FIFTH YEAR RRMC HAS HAD MULTIPLE NURSING UNITS HONORED FOR EXCELLENCE IN PATIENT CARE. RRMC'S SURGICAL ICU WAS NAMED TOP CRITICAL CARE UNIT FOR 2019, AND ITS MEDICAL ICU WAS RANKED NO. 2. IN ADDITION, ALL SEVEN OF RRMC'S MEDICAL-SURGICAL UNITS WERE RANKED AMONG THE TOP 50 UNITS IN THE COMPANY. RRMC ALSO ACHIEVED THE PRESTIGIOUS PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE DESIGNATION BY THE AMERICAN NURSES CREDENTIALING CENTER, BECOMING ONLY ONE OF THREE LOUISIANA HOSPITALS TO EARN THE DESIGNATION. IN 2019, RRMC RECEIVED THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION/AMERICAN STROKE ASSOCIATION'S GET WITH THE GUIDELINES-STROKE GOLD PLUS QUALITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR IT HAS RECEIVED THIS AWARD. THE AWARD RECOGNIZES THE HOSPITAL'S COMMITMENT TO ENSURING STROKE PATIENTS RECEIVE THE MOST APPROPRIATE TREATMENT ACCORDING TO NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED GUIDELINES BASED ON THE LATEST SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE. RRMC IS VERIFIED AS A LEVEL II TRAUMA CENTER BY THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS. A LEVEL II TRAUMA CENTER PROVIDES THE SECOND HIGHEST LEVEL OF SURGICAL CARE TO TRAUMA PATIENTS. THE HOSPITAL IS ALSO CERTIFIED AS A PRIMARY STROKE CENTER AND AN ACCREDITED CHEST PAIN CENTER FROM THE JOINT COMMISSION. THE HOSPITAL RECEIVED AN "A" RATING FROM THE LEAPFROG GROUP, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DRIVING IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY AND SAFETY IN AMERICAN HEALTHCARE. THE GRADE REFLECTS THE HOSPITAL'S STRONG RECORD OF PATIENT SAFETY IN 2019. RRMC IS THE HOME TO A COMPLETE $2.5 MILLION BRAINLAB NEUROSURGICAL SUITE. RRMC IS ONE OF FEWER THAN 100 HOSPITALS IN THE COUNTRY AND THE ONLY ONE IN LOUISIANA TO HAVE THIS MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED NEUROLOGICAL SUITE. THE BRAINLAB TOOLS ALLOW HIGHLY SPECIALIZED NEUROSURGICAL PROCEDURES TO BE PERFORMED IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA. RAPIDES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IN 2019 HOLDS THE FOLLOWING ACCREDITATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS THAT DEMONSTRATE ITS COMMITMENT TO A HIGHER STANDARD OF CARE: CANCER TREATMENT ACCREDITATION, CERTIFIED CARDIAC REHABILITATION PROGRAM, NUCLEAR MEDICINE GOLD SEAL ACCREDITATION, COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY GOLD SEAL ACCREDITATION, MRI GOLD SEAL ACCREDITATION, MAMMOGRAPHY GOLD SEAL ACCREDITATION, VASCULAR TESTING ACCREDITATION, CAP LABORATORY ACCREDITATION, AND GOLD LEVEL FIT-FRIENDLY WORKSITE.

HEALTHY PEOPLE TRF PROVIDED CHRONIC CARE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THEM THROUGH A $505,000GRANT IN 2019 TO ITS SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION, CENLA MEDICATION ACCESS PROGRAM (CMAP). CMAP'S PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (PAP) LOCATES CMAP STAFF NEAR PHYSICIAN OFFICES THROUGHOUT CMAP'S PRIMARY NINE-PARISH SERVICE AREA. THESE PAP SPECIALISTS COMPLETE APPLICATIONS FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD THEIR MEDICATION TO RECEIVE FREE CHRONIC CARE MEDICATIONS THROUGH DRUG MANUFACTURERS' PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. PATIENTS ALSO RECEIVE MEDICATIONS AND DIABETIC SUPPLIES THROUGH CMAP'S CENTRAL FILL PHARMACY, WHICH AS OF END OF 2019 HAD CONTRACTS TO WORK WITH AND PROVIDE PHARMACEUTICALS FROM THIRTEEN MAJOR COMPANIES. ADDITIONALLY, RAPIDES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (RRMC) CONTRACTS WITH CMAP TO PROVIDE OUTPATIENT PHARMACY SERVICES TO THE PATIENTS OF OUTPATIENT CLINICS SERVING THE INDIGENT. DURING 2019, CMAP PROVIDED 16,091 FREE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS TO PATIENTS, REPRESENTING A WHOLESALE COST SAVINGS OF $5.8 MILLION. CMAP EXTRA, A PRESCRIPTION-SAVINGS PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP LOWER FAMILIES' MEDICATION COSTS, IS AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF AGE OR INCOME. DURING 2019, 681 PRESCRIPTIONS WERE FILLED, FOR A TOTAL RETAIL SAVINGS OF $117,000. IN 2019, IN SUPPORT OF ITS SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION'S (THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION) HEALTHCARE ACCESS INITIATIVE, CMAP'S CANCER SCREENING PROJECT PROVIDED FREE MAMMOGRAMS, PAP SMEARS, PELVIC EXAMS AND COLORECTAL CANCER TESTS TO 414 UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED PATIENTS WHO COULDN'T AFFORD THESE CRITICAL SCREENINGS. THESE TESTS ARE BROUGHT TO RURAL AREAS THROUGH A CANCER SCREENING VAN. THE VAN IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION, CMAP, THE FEIST-WEILLER CANCER CENTER AT LSU HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER -- SHREVEPORT AND THE LSU FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY IN ALEXANDRIA. THROUGH THE MOBILE UNIT PATIENTS RECEIVED 107 PAP SMEARS, 111 PELVIC EXAMS, 383 MAMMOGRAMS, AND 242 CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC BREAST EXAMS. ALSO, APPROXIMATELY 46 WOMEN AND MEN RECEIVED TAKE-HOME COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING TESTS. CMAP ALSO ADMINISTERS THE COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVISOR (CHA) PROJECT, A COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM DESIGNED TO TRAIN COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS TO HELP EDUCATE THEIR PEERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CANCER SCREENINGS. ONCE TRAINED BY THE CANCER SCREENING PROJECT COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVISOR, THESE VOLUNTEERS WILL PROVIDE EDUCATION, OUTREACH AND INFORMATION TO MEN AND WOMEN THROUGHOUT CENTRAL LOUISIANA. THE GOAL IS TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO PRACTICE EARLY DETECTION OF COLON, BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER WHILE IT IS IN THE MOST TREATABLE STAGES. THE CHA PROJECT REACHED 1,160 PEOPLE IN 2019. THE CMAP PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SPECIALISTS BRING THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION'S TOBACCO PREVENTION AND CONTROL INITIATIVE INTO THE SAME PHYSICIAN OFFICES THEY SUPPORT FOR MEDICATION ACCESS. BY PROVIDING TRAINING AND MATERIALS TO PHYSICIANS AND THEIR STAFF ABOUT SMOKING CESSATION REFERRAL RESOURCES, THE SPECIALISTS MAKE IT EASY FOR DOCTORS TO ENCOURAGE THEIR PATIENTS TO STOP SMOKING. CMAP PARTNERED WITH THE SMOKING CESSATION TRUST TO PROVIDE SMOKING CESSATION MEDICATIONS AND COUNSELING TO INDIVIDUALS IN ITS SERVICE AREA. DURING 2019, 58 INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED IN COUNSELING. TRF ALSO CONTINUED TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. A 2017 THREE-YEAR GRANT OF $500,000 TO NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY PROVIDED FUNDING FOR FACULTY EXPENSES AND STUDENT STIPENDS TO TRAIN GRADUATE STUDENTS WHO AGREE TO WORK IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA AS PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONERS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO PROVIDES FUNDS TO NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY, LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY OF ALEXANDRIA AND THE CENTRAL LOUISIANA TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE NURSING PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT NURSING INSTRUCTION. TRF FUNDED A $400,000 GRANT IN 2019 TO CMAP'S HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES DEMONSTRATION AND EDUCATION ON PROPER NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR GOOD HEALTH AND IS DESIGNED TO FIGHT OBESITY IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA. THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM, THROUGH PHYSICIAN REFERRAL, COMMUNITY TOOLS, AND WORKPLACE EDUCATION, IS TO PROVIDE CENTRAL LOUISIANA RESIDENTS WITH RESOURCES TO LEAD HEALTHY LIFESTYLES. THIS PROGRAM IS COORDINATED BY A REGISTERED AND LICENSED DIETITIAN AND EMPLOYS AN EXERCISE SPECIALIST. CLIENTS RECEIVE ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATION WITH THE DIETITIAN AND EXERCISE SPECIALIST FOR PERSONALIZED MEAL PLANNING AND EXERCISE. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO WORK WITH CLIENTS FOR AT LEAST 3 TO 6 MONTHS, TRACKING THEIR PROGRESS WITH EATING HABITS, BEHAVIOR CHANGES, WEIGHT AND INCHES LOST, AND EDUCATING CLIENTS ON PROPER NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. IN 2019, 438 PATIENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE CMAP HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PROGRAM. TRF PARTNERED WITH 109 CENTRAL LOUISIANA K-12 SCHOOLS IN SEVEN PARISHES THROUGH $211,500 IN HEALTHY BEHAVIORS GRANTS. IN THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR, 38,363 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES THAT POSITIVELY IMPACT STUDENTS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL IN THE AREAS OF TOBACCO PREVENTION AND CONTROL, SUBSTANCE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE PREVENTION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION. WHILE THE PROJECTS VARIED, SCHOOLS USED THE FUNDS FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND CURRICULA; FOR TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR KICK BUTTS DAY ACTIVITIES, NATIONAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL FACTS WEEK AND LIVING HEALTHY CLUBS; AND FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CERTIFICATION FOR NUTRITION STAFF. IN ADDITION TO SCHOOL DISTRICT GRANTS, TRF CONTINUED TO OVERSEE HEALTHY BEHAVIORS PROGRAM GRANTS THAT WERE AWARDED TO COMMUNITIES FOR PROJECTS THAT ADDRESS HEALTHY BEHAVIORS. TRF HAS INVESTED OVER $3 MILLION IN 11 GRANTS SINCE THE PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN 2014. THE GRANTS FUNDED IMPROVED PARK AND FITNESS FACILITIES, MOBILE PLAYGROUNDS, FARMERS MARKETS, HEALTHY FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY GARDENS, AND ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION. IN SEPTEMBER 2019, APPROXIMATELY 600 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS FROM SEVEN CENTRAL LOUISIANA SCHOOL DISTRICTS ATTENDED THE EIGHTH ANNUAL YOUTH SUMMIT ON HEALTHY BEHAVIORS, A ONE-DAY EVENT FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN HOW TO BECOME ADVOCATES FOR HEALTHY CHOICES AND POLICY CHANGE IN THEIR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES. MEMBERS OF TRF'S YOUTH ADVOCACY COUNCIL PLANNED AND LED THE SUMMIT, WHICH INCLUDED NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED SPEAKERS. STUDENTS CREATED AN ADVOCACY PROJECT THAT FOCUSED ON ENFORCEMENT OF USDA SMART SNACKS GUIDELINES IN SCHOOLS. THE GOAL IS FOR STUDENTS TO WORK WITHIN THEIR SCHOOLS TO REPLACE UNHEALTHY FOODS IN SCHOOL CONCESSIONS WITH HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES. DURING THE YEAR, TRF INVESTED $509,124 IN COMMUNITY MARKETING DESIGNED TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF DIET AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, TO COUNTER TOBACCO ADVERTISING AND TO PROVIDE AWARENESS AND RESOURCES IN THE AREA OF ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE. WITH RAPIDES FOUNDATION SUPPORT, CMAP PARTNERED WITH THE LOUISIANA SMOKING CESSATION TRUST TO PROVIDE TOBACCO CESSATION COUNSELING TO INDIVIDUALS IN ITS SERVICE AREA. SINCE THE PARTNERSHIP BEGAN IN 2014, 1,239 AREA RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM, WHO HAVE BEEN OFFERED FREE CESSATION COUNSELING AND MEDICINE TO HELP THEM QUIT. THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION'S GOALS FOR HEALTHY PEOPLE ARE: 10-YEAR IMPACTS (2012-2023): *REDUCE ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY FROM 929.7 PER 100,000 TO 757.2. (19% IMPROVEMENT) *REDUCE HEART DISEASE MORTALITY RATES FROM 246.6 PER 100,000 TO 158.9. (36% IMPROVEMENT) *REDUCE CANCER MORTALITY RATES FROM 203.6 PER 100,000 TO 169.0. (17% IMPROVEMENT) *REDUCE DIABETES MORTALITY RATES FROM 24.0 PER 100,000 TO 20.5. (15% IMPROVEMENT) *DECREASE SMOKING RATES IN YOUTH FROM 23.9% IN 2013 TO 17%. (29% IMPROVEMENT) *DECREASE SMOKING RATES IN ADULTS FROM 23.0% IN 2013 TO 20%. (13% IMPROVEMENT) *DECREASE ALCOHOL USE IN YOUTH FROM 40.8% TO 36.7% BY 2013. (10% IMPROVEMENT) *DECREASE DRUG-INDUCED DEATHS IN ADULTS FROM 12.3 TO 11.3 PER 100,000 BY 2023. (8% IMPROVEMENT) *DECREASE PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN WITH A SMOKER FROM 17% IN 2013 TO 15%. (12% IMPROVEMENT) *DECREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF ADULTS OVERWEIGHT FROM 73% IN 2013 TO 67%. (8% IMPROVEMENT) *DECREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF ADOLESCENTS (9-12 GRADERS) OVERWEIGHT FROM 34.5% IN 2013 TO 31%. (10% IMPROVEMENT)

EDUCATION -- DURING 2019 THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION PROVIDED $1.5 MILLION IN GRANTS TO THE NINE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN TRF'S SERVICE AREA. THE GRANTS WERE USED FOR TARGETED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COACHING AND MENTORING OF TEACHERS; LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR ADMINISTRATORS; AND FUNDING TO ALLOW THE DISTRICTS TO PARTICIPATE IN INSTITUTES PROVIDED BY THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION. THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION'S WORK IN COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS ENCOMPASSES THREE AREAS - THE CENLA WORK READY NETWORK, COLLEGE AND CAREER COACHING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, AND JUMP START PROGRAMS TO EXPOSE CENLA EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS TO CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CENTRAL LOUISIANA REGION. THE CENLA WORK READY NETWORK IS A SYSTEM DESIGNED TO LINK EDUCATION WITH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS AND ALIGN THEM WITH REGIONAL ECONOMIC NEEDS. DURING 2019, ALL PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE FOUNDATION'S SERVICE AREA, CENTRAL LOUISIANA TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUSES, AND REGIONAL BUSINESS AND CAREER SOLUTIONS CENTERS ACCESSED ACT'S WORKKEYS CURRICULUM, A CAREER TRAINING COURSE THAT PREPARES STUDENTS FOR CERTIFICATION WITH WORKKEYS ASSESSMENTS. WORKKEYS IS A JOB SKILLS ASSESSMENT SYSTEM MEASURING REAL WORLD SKILLS THAT EMPLOYERS BELIEVE ARE CRITICAL TO JOB SUCCESS. WORKKEYS ASSESSES THREE CORE AREAS: APPLIED MATHEMATICS; WORKPLACE DOCUMENTS; AND GRAPHIC LITERACY; WHICH DETERMINES A STUDENT'S NATIONAL CAREER READINESS CERTIFICATE (NCRC) LEVEL, AN OBJECTIVE DOCUMENTATION OF AN EMPLOYEE'S SKILLS THAT CAN BE ACCEPTED NATIONWIDE. DURING THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR, 7,105 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN ACT'S WORKKEYS CURRICULUM TRAINING, AND 5,748 NATIONAL CAREER READINESS CERTIFICATES WERE EARNED BY CENLA RESIDENTS. IN 2019 THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION CONTINUED ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CENTRAL LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE TO ASSIST EMPLOYERS IN UTILIZING WORKKEYS AND NCRC IN THEIR HIRING PROCESSES. ALL NINE PARISHES IN THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION SERVICE AREA ARE ACT CERTIFIED WORK READY COMMUNITIES: ALLEN, AVOYELLES, CATAHOULA, GRANT, LASALLE, NATCHITOCHES, RAPIDES, VERNON AND WINN. DURING THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR, THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION PARTNERED WITH CAREER COMPASS OF LA TO WORK WITH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE COLLEGE AND CAREER COACHING SERVICES IN ALL HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE SERVICE REGION. THE SCOPE OF SERVICES INCLUDED ONE-ON-ONE COACHING WORK WITH 3,185 SENIORS AS WELL AS CAREER SEMINARS ATTENDED BY ANOTHER 8,763 STUDENTS. 92 PERCENT OF THE SENIORS COUNSELED APPLIED TO A POSTSECONDARY PROGRAM. THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION OFFERED SUMMER CAMPS FOR TEACHERS TO LEARN HOW TO TRANSLATE THE SKILLS NEEDED IN TODAY'S WORKFORCE INTO THEIR CLASSROOMS. THE WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE EXCHANGE (WEE) CAMP GIVES TEACHERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES TO LEARN HOW CLASSROOM CONTENT AND LEARNING STRATEGIES ARE APPLIED IN THE WORKPLACE. NINETEEN SELECTED EDUCATORS ATTENDED THE 3-DAY 2019 WEE CAMP, WHILE FIVE EDUCATORS TOOK PART IN THE IN-DEPTH WEE CAMP II EXPERIENCE, WHERE THEY SPENT TWO ADDITIONAL DAYS LEARNING THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF SOME OF THE REGION'S KEY MANUFACTURERS. IN LATE 2019, ORCHARD HELD ITS ANNUAL STUDENTS EXPLORING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES EXPO, A TWO-DAY EVENT THAT INTRODUCES 10TH GRADERS TO CAREER POSSIBILITIES. THE EVENT ATTRACTED 2,761 STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN INTERACTIVE, HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES FROM 16 CAREER CLUSTERS DELIVERED BY 47 AREA BUSINESSES. THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION FACILITATED A CARPENTRY COURSE, WHICH IS A COMBINATION OF HANDS-ON AND TEXTBOOK INSTRUCTION AND UTILIZES TEXTBOOKS CERTIFIED AND APPROVED BY THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION AND RESEARCH (NCCER) TO INSTRUCT STUDENTS. CO-SPONSORED BY A LOCAL EMPLOYER, IT IS DESIGNED TO HELP STUDENTS GAIN TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRIAL KNOWLEDGE AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO PURSUE A CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION. THE COURSE WAS OFFERED IN FIVE AREA HIGH SCHOOLS, AND 102 NCCER CARPENTRY INDUSTRY BASED CERTIFICATIONS (IBCS) WERE EARNED IN SPRING 2019. A WELDING CURRICULUM THAT PREPARES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR WELDING CAREERS IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL SETTINGS WAS OFFERED IN THREE CENTRAL LOUISIANA SCHOOLS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES TRAINING IN INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS, PRINT READING, LAYOUT/FABRICATION AND THERMAL CUTTING. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE COURSE ARE REGISTERED INTO THE NCCER DATABASE FOR POTENTIAL EMPLOYMENT IN WELDING. DURING THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR, 55 NCCER WELDING INDUSTRY BASED CERTIFICATIONS (IBCS) WERE EARNED. IN 2019, THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION PARTNERED WITH THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO FACILITATE A $1.95 MILLION, THREE-YEAR NEW SKILLS FOR YOUTH GRANT FROM J.P. MORGAN CHASE AND THE COUNCIL OF CHIEF SCHOOL OFFICERS. THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION SERVED AS FISCAL SPONSOR FOR THE GRANT WHICH ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2019. IN 2019 THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION CONTINUED ITS WORK TO SUPPORT THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION'S (ITS SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION'S) EFFECTIVE SCHOOLS INITIATIVE BY CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. DURING 2018-2019, THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION, THROUGH ITS SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION, THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION, COORDINATED KAGAN INSTRUCTIONAL INSTITUTES FOR 283 AREA EDUCATORS. THE INSTITUTES FEATURED HANDS-ON CURRICULUM AND MATERIALS THAT ARE ENGAGING, RIGOROUS AND MOTIVATING FOR STUDENTS AND THAT CAN IMMEDIATELY BE BROUGHT BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM AND IMPLEMENTED IN A COOPERATIVE LEARNING MODEL. ORCHARD ALSO HELD TRAININGS FOR NEW AND ASPIRING LEADERS IN AREA SCHOOLS. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FOR TEACHERS WHO ARE DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE BEST PRACTICES IN INSTRUCTION AND LEADERSHIP. 88 PARTICIPANTS WERE TRAINED IN THE 5 DIMENSIONS OF TEACHING AND LEARNING FRAMEWORK BY THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATE AND OBSERVE OTHERS TO DEVELOP THE EXPERTISE NEEDED TO RECOGNIZE HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION. THE LEADING FOR BETTER INSTRUCTION PROGRAM ALLOWS ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS AND PRINCIPALS TO DEVELOP THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS IN GUIDING AND SUPPORTING TEACHERS' PROFESSIONAL LEARNING. 120 ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS AND PRINCIPALS WERE ALSO TRAINED IN THE 5 DIMENSIONS OF TEACHING AND LEARNING AND 4 DIMENSIONS OF INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP. A DISTRICT LEADERS/SUPERINTENDENTS NETWORK WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE SESSIONS FOR SUPERINTENDENTS AND KEY CENTRAL OFFICE LEADERS, FOCUSED ON THE ROLE OF CENTRAL OFFICE LEADERSHIP IN DEVELOPING AND SUPPORTING PRINCIPAL INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP. 49 LEADERS PARTICIPATED.IN 2019 THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO ADMINISTER SCHOOL READINESS INSTITUTES FOR CENTRAL LOUISIANA PRE-K, HEAD START AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA'S EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM COMMUNITY NETWORK. THE NETWORK SEEKS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY, PUBLICLY FUNDED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS. ORCHARD ADMINISTERED 31 TRAININGS IN 2019, REACHING 444 EDUCATORS AND PROVIDERS. TO EXPAND THE REACH, ORCHARD PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME CERTIFIED AS MAKING THE MOST OF CLASSROOM INTERACTIONS (MMCI) / CLASS GROUP COACHING INSTRUCTORS THROUGH TEACHSTONE. IN 2019, SEVEN INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED THEIR CERTIFICATION AS MMCI INSTRUCTORS, 5 IN PRE-K AND 2 IN INFANT/TODDLER. ORCHARD HAS TRAINED A TOTAL OF 30 MMCI INSTRUCTORS FOR THE REGION, 28 IN PRE-K AND 2 IN INFANT/TODDLER. THE READ TO SOAR EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM WAS LAUNCHED IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA COMMUNITIES DURING 2019. DEVELOPED AND ADMINISTERED BY THE ORCHARD FOUNDATION, READ TO SOAR IS A FREE, 8-SESSION WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN AGES 5 AND UNDER AND THEIR PARENTS OR CAREGIVERS. SESSIONS HELP DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN A CULTURE OF READING AT HOME BY EDUCATING PARENTS, BUILDING A CHILD'S HOME LIBRARY AND INCREASING AWARENESS ABOUT COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO HELP ENSURE THE CHILD HAS THE TOOLS FOR SCHOOL SUCCESS. IN 2019, ORCHARD LED 29 READ TO SOAR WORKSHOPS, REACHING 335 CHILDREN FROM 254 FAMILIES. 7,490 BOOKS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO PARTICIPANTS.THE RAPIDES FOUNDATION'S GOALS FOR ITS EDUCATION WORK ARE: 6-10 YEAR IMPACTS:" INCREASE GRADUATION RATES FROM 73% IN 2012 TO 86% BY 2023. (18% IMPROVEMENT)" INCREASE PERCENTAGE OF ADULTS 25 YEARS AND OLDER WITH POSTSECONDARY DEGREES FROM 2-YEAR AND 4-YEAR INSTITUTIONS FROM 21% IN 2012 TO 26% IN 2023. (24% IMPROVEMENT)

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