Dr. Franks accepted the position and began his duties on August 16. Dr. Franks comes to us from Millcreek of Arkansas, where he served as the Clinical Director. Millcreek is a 111 bed residential psychiatric treatment facility for youth ages 7-18.

Dr. Franks possesses experience and expertise that is essential in starting this new project successfully. He grew up in the DeQuincy, LA, area, having attended high school there and subsequently attending McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA. Dr. Franks went on to obtain his Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University, and his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Prior to his employment with Millcreek, Dr. Franks served in various locations as a Family Therapist Intern where his primary duties included working with a team of therapists and case managers doing in-home therapy and in-school visits with his primary focus being the parental unit. This fits well with the mission statement of LUMCFS, “Guiding Children and Families Home to Experience God’s Love by Following the Teachings of Christ.”

Dr. Franks said “I am very impressed with the leadership of LUMCFS and the way it’s structured. It is evident that the agency is very well thought out and the mission is being followed consistently. I am excited about being part of its application in southwest Louisiana.”

Terrel J. DeVille, President and CEO of LUMCFS stated “We are pleased to have Dr. Franks and his family as members of the Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services Team.”

The kids also visited our main campus in Ruston for an afternoon of relaxation and swimming in the pool and playing games in the gymnasium. Once the youth were settled into the Bunkhouse at the OWL, the fun began in earnest. We consider it such a blessing that we are able to provide such wonderful opportunities to the youth in our care from all across the state of Louisiana.

Let me briefly update you with regard to current activities pertaining to operations at the various campuses. The Methodist Home of Greater New Orleans on the Mandeville Campus is providing excellent care to an average of 15 to 18 youth on any given day. We continue to have to work at developing a work force. The leadership is very stable and is providing excellent supervision. My greatest concern is in the drop of financial support, particularly the Christmas Offering. Since we assumed the responsibility for its operations we have been blessed by those who have continued to support its operation. We have even acquired new donors. But overall the financial support has dropped. I realize that part of that is the economy and all the other issues that accompany this area of our Conference and State. However, it is critical that this trend be turned around.

The Methodist Children’s Home of Southwest Louisiana Campus in Sulphur is progressing very well. Construction should be completed by the end of September. Operations will probably start in November or January. An open house and dedication program will be held on Sunday, October 17, 2010, between 2 and 4 pm. Bishop William Hutchinson will be present to help with the dedication event. I must commend the Lake Charles District, following the leadership of a group of volunteers who have been about raising friends and funds to help us complete construction and begin operation on such a positive note. I must also thank a group of volunteers from the Acadiana District which have organized a fund raising trip which will occur on Saturday, October 9. This is indeed an exciting time.

The Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home Campus in Ruston continues to operate at full capacity. Funding is a concern for us as it is for all non-profits at this time. Our Mother’s Day offering for 2009 was not what it should be. Overall giving was 17% down during 2009. I am not complaining. I know of other agencies whose donations were down by 50%. We are blessed to have been able to build up some reserves during our 108 years of operation. We used some of those reserves to cover the shortfall, however, we cannot do that very long without using up what reserves are left. I am pleased to report that the new Vo-Tech Career Training Center is to be complete by early July. We will be able to move this program into the new building this Fall semester allowing us to expand this greatly needed service for the youth, who are turning 18 years of age and aging out of the foster care system. We are now able to launch them into gainful employment careers which will assure them of a successful adult life, enabling them to apply all the life skills and life lessons learned while in our care.

I must remind you of my retirement plan which I informed our Board of Directors of 5 years ago. I know from visiting with some of you this has caused some anxiety and concern. Let me assure you that our Board has a strategic plan in place to assure a smooth and effective leadership transition. Part of that plan is the employment of a full time Executive Director of Public Relations, Development and Marketing (PRDM). That person is Mr. Gary Strebeck who comes to the position with a great deal of experience. Most recently with similar duties at the Louisiana Tech University Foundation. He and his family are members of Trinity UMC in Ruston. Please invite and welcome him to your churches.

In closing I remind you we are your connection in ministry to children, youth and families throughout every community in our Annual Conference. We could not do what we do without you and you cannot do what you do without your Children’s Home. Remember that every time you make a donation, volunteer, or even buy a jar of OWL Salsa you are also helping heal young lives that otherwise would most probably never be introduced to Jesus Christ or experience God’s Love.

May God’s Blessings be with all his children regardless of age.

Your Servant in Christ,
Terrel DeVille
President/CEO LUMCFS

COA reaccreditation is an objective and reliable verification that provides confidence and support to an organization’s service recipients, board members, staff and community partners. The COA reaccreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of both an organization’s administrative operations and its service delivery practices. All are “measured” against national standards of best practice. These standards emphasize services that are accessible, appropriate, culturally responsive, evidence based, and outcomes-oriented, In addition, they confirm that the services are provided by a skilled and supported workforce and that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.

Because COA reviews and reaccredits the entire organization, not just specific programs, you can have confidence in the credibility, integrity and achievement of your entire organization.

COA congratulates Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services, Inc for their hard work and wonderful achievement and is proud to have it as part of COA’s Community of Excellence.

Founded in 1977, COA is an independent not-for-profit international accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and human service organizations. Today, over 1800 organizations—public and private—are either COA accredited or are in the process of seeking accreditation. These organizations serve over 7 million of our most vulnerable individuals each year!