After earning her BA, she was employed with the Lafayette Addictive Disorders Clinic as the counselor for the adolescents in the program. She loved working with the young people. She says, “The struggles that they had with alcohol and other drugs was only a small piece of our work together. Along the way, I realized that there are limits to what people can accomplish on their own. However, divine intervention makes a significant difference in outcomes.”

Ms. Edie reports she is thrilled to be appointed to Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services. She recognizes the integral role that faith plays in the work of the organization. The agency’s effort to provide the best residential care for the young people and the support that is provided for their families are under-girded by prayer and devotions. Direct Care workers, supervisors, administrators and everyone in between all strive to demonstrate God’s love to the youth. She says, “I am privileged to have been called to this ministry with all of these beloved children of God.”

In our last issue of PATHWAYS, we reported to you that we had just hosted the site visit to renew our EAGLE Accreditation. Mr. Gary Gansemer, CEO of Hillcrest Family Services in Dubuque, Iowa and Mrs. Toleda Hart, CEO of Methodist Youth Services in Chicago inspected our facilities.
The surveyors interviewed residents, staff and board members; reviewed documentation; and talked with representatives from communities in Louisiana to verify that we continue to meet the standards established for EAGLE Accreditation.

EAGLE Accreditation is designed for faith-based health and welfare organizations wishing to enhance the quality of holistic care they provide. EAGLE Accreditation uses extensive self-assessment and peer review processes based upon principles and goals which promote excellence in Christian ministry.

LUMCFS operates three campuses across the state of Louisiana: the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston; the Methodist Home for Children of Greater New Orleans located in Mandeville; and the Methodist Children’s Home of Southwest Louisiana in Sulphur. LUMCFS also operates Family Plus and Multi-systemic Therapy offices in many cities throughout the state.

Chairman of the Board of Directors for LUMCFS, Richard Lewis, who also chaired the search committee to hire the new President/CEO said “The search committee and board were extremely impressed with the quality of the applicants for the position of President/CEO. After a thorough and deliberate search and interview process, the Board identified Rick Wheat as the person most qualified to serve as the next President/CEO. Though we will miss Terrel greatly, we believe that the Home will continue to thrive and fulfill its mission under Rick’s leadership.”

Retiring President/CEO Terrel J. DeVille is extremely complimentary of Wheat’s selection. “I’ve had the privilege of working with Rick for more than 20 years and I know that he has a great passion for the Home. I think the Home is lucky to have someone of his experience, intelligence, vision and integrity, and I wish him good luck and God’s blessings.”

Wheat has been employed with LUMCFS for 22 years, serving as director of several departments through the years. He was first hired as a family therapist in the Family Counseling Center on the Ruston campus. His current position is Director of Information Services. Currently, Wheat is heavily involved in developing operational plans for the Home to accommodate the expected changes coming from Louisiana’s Coordinated System of Care.

Regarding his new role at the Home, Wheat stated “I cannot imagine a more exciting time to be involved in ministry to children and families. For more than 20 years I’ve been blessed to follow Mr. DeVille’s leadership. He is the giant among those who lead faith-based agencies and for more than four decades he has served this ministry with all of himself. I am grateful Mr. DeVille will continue as a Life Member of our Board and as President Emeritus.”

Wheat continued, “This week I have heard two very clear messages, ‘Rick, you have huge shoes to fill,’ has been more than balanced by rich statements of confidence and support. What I know is this: we have a very healthy, engaged Board of Directors and our hundreds of staff across Louisiana will continue providing compassionate care to the neediest, acting as the hands of the church in active ministry to families and children. It’s what we do. It’s who we are. It will not change.”

The Family Plus program assists Louisiana’s families who are experiencing emotional stress or difficulties within the family. Family Plus services address the needs of children, youth and families at a local, community level. Our Family Plus offices are located in Shreveport, Ruston, Pineville, Monroe, Natchitoches and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Learn more about Family Plus at: Family Plus Program of Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home

Learn more at Governor Bobby Jindal Announces the Appointment of Penny Millhollon to the Marriage and Family Therapy Advisory Committee

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!

In February of 2008, we relocated the Children’s Home from its site in New Orleans to a temporary facility in Mandeville, which we are currently leasing from the state of Louisiana.  This relocation has bought us some time, however within the next few years we must locate a site and construct a permanent Home for the children being cared for.  Terrel J. DeVille, President and CEO of LUMCFS, says,

“When Dr. Reed called to inform me that the Pennsylvania Conference had elected to conduct a financial campaign to make major improvements on the campus of the Children’s Home located in Mechanicsburg, and that they would designate a portion of the Campaign to assist us with the relocation of the New Orleans facility, I have to admit it almost overwhelmed me.”

Mr. DeVille complimented Dr. Reed with the following quote:

“What a servant leadership the Central Pennsylvania Conference has. What a commitment to ministry your membership is demonstrating. We of the LA Annual Conference and the LA Methodist Children’s Home covet our relationship with you and with our sister agency in children, youth and family ministry. Anything we can do to make your effort successful, we are here to serve. May God’s blessings be with all his children throughout the world.”