CAHS Capital Area Human Services Annual Report

WE EXCEL AT MAKING LIVES BETTER

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COMMITTED TO WELLNESS

As we close Fiscal Year 2024–2025, I am proud to reflect on how far Capital Area Human Services has come — and where we are headed. Our mission to serve the people of Region 2 with compassion, excellence, and accountability continues to drive every program, every clinic, and every team member across our seven parishes.

This year marked milestones in quality improvement and technology modernization, and the strengthening of our culture through Project Transformation: our multi-year, agency-wide initiative designed to identify and dismantle silos and inconsistencies across Capital Area Human Services. Through this work, we are building a more coordinated and efficient behavioral health system—one that reduces client wait times, ensures individuals are routed appropriately to services, improves clinic flow, and standardizes operations across all districts so that every person we serve receives a consistent, highquality experience. We continued to expand access to care, streamline processes, and foster collaboration between behavioral health, addictions, developmental disabilities, and prevention services. Most importantly, we touched lives — restoring hope, promoting recovery, and improving well-being.

I extend heartfelt gratitude to our staff, leadership, and community partners whose commitment makes our success possible. Together, we are building a stronger, healthier Louisiana — one person, one family, one community at a time.

With gratitude and optimism,

Jan Laughinghouse, PhD LCSW-BACS, LAC, CCS Executive Director Capital Area Human Services

“Today I don’t have to look over my shoulder I can go to bed at night knowing I gave the day a 100%. My advice to anybody that is struggling is to reach out because you don’t have to suffer in silence.”

Ronnie LeDuff Recovery is Real https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQbE-z8IsmY&feature=youtu.be

“Let’s talk about your feelings. There are no right or wrong words. I’m here to listen.”

Dr. Jan Laughinghouse A Safe Space https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcWbk-VpbpI

“I can appreciate when people put things simple and in a way that I can understand without using big words.”

Charlie Cedotal Disability Self Advocate

“It’s very important for all the agencies to overlap and we share with one another what we are seeing so that they can bring that information back to their respective workplaces and to their clients.”

Joi N. Plain, DSW, LCSW CAHS Director of Training

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz_vocunVB0

Bryan J. Gros, PhD CAHS Children’s Services | Clinical Director

“A hug of reassurance in a kid’s life goes a long way.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBy6o2-bQW0

“Together we’re building a community of hope, compassion and recovery. One conversation, one training and one life at a time.”

Bridget Lewis, MS-LPP CAHS Director of Prevention and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4l940YEckA&feature=youtu.be

Wellness Services

Maria Bates, RN CAHS Registered Nurse Manager

“Our goal is to support Total Health and Total Wellness for our community, and we’re here to serve anyone with primary care needs. We want to make sure that if you’re being seen for behavioral health needs, that you stay on a continuum of care which loops you to primary care.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnpwxSapZNA

Lindsay Allen, DPC, LPC-S Clinical Supervisor, CAHS Professional Counselor

“Just like painting, I love seeing different clients take a blank canvas and add their own colors and designs, making something truly unique. Recovery is the same way—it starts as a blank canvas. When you begin, you connect with counselors and others who help you build new skills—social skills, therapy, and tools that support long-term recovery.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS6GHPYvDwk

“One out of seven people are diagnosed with a hidden disability. Not visible to the eye. As a parent with a daughter with a disability, we try to promote inclusive practices.”

Sandra Trammell RN, BSN, CCRN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciTjSjcrwwg

CAHS Regional Advisory Committee Chairman for Behavioral Health

CAHS Regional Advisory Committee Chairman for Developmental Disabilities

Bethany Sclafani, LCSW-BACS

“Making a difference in the lives of children within their own environment matters. Research shows that when you engage with them right in the moment while they’re experiencing challenges it creates a powerful, teachable opportunity. Those real-time interactions often lead to deeper understanding and more meaningful impact.”

CAHS School Based Behavioral Health Program Director

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc720Qb0F14

CAHS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

“Each of our initiatives come together to form a strong supporting network.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQDqXw0R0Uo

Capital Area Human Services is governed by a 17-member Board of Directors. Their service is voluntary and vital to enhanced communication within the local communities. The Board is comprised of 12 members (two residents from each of the following parishes: Ascension, East Feliciana, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana, and five members who are residents of East Baton Rouge Parish. Members are appointed by the governor from a list of qualified candidates nominated by the governing authority of each parish. The candidates from Ascension Parish are nominated by the parish president.

For additional Board information and current members, go to https://cahsd.org/leadership/ Click on individual member photos to find out more about each member.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Executive Management Team

Jan Laughinghouse, PhD, LCSW-BACS, LAC, CCS Executive Director

Shaketha Carter, MHA, MSA Deputy Director

Karen Pino, LCSWBACS, LAC Compliance Officer

Scott Thomas, LCSW Clinical Director of Addiction Recovery Services

Aniedi Udofa, MD, DABPN, DFAPA Medical Director

John Nosacka, LCSWBACS, MSHCM Mental Health Clinical Director

Linda Roquemore, MPA Accountant Administrator

Senior Management Team

Maria Bates, RN Registered Nurse Manager

Bridget Lewis, MS-LPP Director of Prevention and Wellness Services

Shenitha Smith, MSW Developmental Disabilities Division Director

Tony Square, MHRM Human Resources Director

Timothy Fortney IT Director

PARTNERSHIPS OUR

TELL OUR STORY

CAHS Community Partnerships and Sponsors

Strong and faithful sponsors and partners enable Capital Area Human Services to expand its outreach throughout all the communities in the District’s seven-parish region.

Events included CAHS Driving Into Recovery, Recovery Sunday (In area churches) and Narcan trainings.

Many of these partners work with CAHS Prevention and Wellness, CAHS Developmental Disabilities, and CAHS Training and Professional Development.

We salute our partners for their spirit of giving as we work to improve health outcomes.

Thank you!

Prevention & Wellness Partnerships

• AETNA Better Health of Louisiana*

• Ambetter Health

• Ascension Parish Library

• Capitol City Produce

• CareSouth

• Changing Lanes Coach-Robin Bennett*

• Christian Outreach Center of Baton Rouge

• Clear Minds Behavioral Health

• Crossroads Recovery Center of Louisiana

• Discovery/Renew Family Resource Project

• East Baton Rouge Parish Government

• East Baton Rouge Parish Library

• East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Department

• Family Services of Greater Baton Rouge

• Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge

• Give 365 BR*

• Grace House of Baton Rouge*

• Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Louisiana

• Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank

• Healthy Blue

• Humana

• I Love Me on Purpose

• LifeShare Blood Center

• Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living

• Louisiana Department of Health

• LDH-Louisiana Office of Public Health

• Louisiana Spirit

• NAMI Louisiana

• Open Health Care Clinic

• Pennington Biomedical Research Center

• Prevost Memorial Hospital

• Prime Senior Placement *

• Priority Care*

• Set Free Indeed Ministry

• START Corporation

• LifeShare Blood Center

• MetroHealth

• The Bridge Center for Hope

• Life House University

Major Prevention Partnership Accomplishments

Naloxone Training for Partners

• Rubicon Chemical Plant

• CAHS MAT Clinic

• Aetna

• Hope Resuscitated

• Pointe Coupee Homebound Health and Hospice

• West Feliciana Hospital

• Array of Hope

• The Reach Center

• Life House University

• Life House University (facility #2)

• Ascension Sheriff’s Officers, Session 103

• Women’s Recovery (Life House University)

• EBR Juvenile Court Staff

• US Probation/Federal Court

• AmeriHealth Caritas of Louisiana

• East Feliciana Law Enforcement

18 Public School System Partners Recognized for School Based School Year and Summer Programming for Children

During 2024-2025 over 9,250 clinical services were provided by the 23 Masters level social work clinicians in the 18 schools in Region 2. These social workers met with teachers, parents and students to guide and direct their learning experiences. These students received guidance to enhance behavior, attendance, and learning disabilities. In the summer, eight area schools in five parishes worked with School Based students to offer 173 children Summer Enrichment. This addendum provided youth with fun learning activities with behavioral health challenges. We salute these school partners for their support of this vital behavioral health support.

Outstanding CAHS School Based Therapist Honored

East Feliciana School Board recognized CAHS School Based therapist Amy Christian as School Health Services Provider of the Year. She now serves students at Jackson Elementary School. She has served the community as a school based therapist for the past 25 years.

Law Enforcement, Schools, Mental Health Associates, Government Officials, and Staff Trained by CAHS Clinicians & Partners

Capital Area Human Services’ professional development focuses on conducting training, workshops, and symposia, many of which offer CEU credits, to enhance knowledge, expertise, and service quality by addressing timely behavioral health topics for law enforcement officers and cadets, local schools, employers, and healthcare providers. During the Fiscal Year 2025, additional professional development programming was also conducted for CAHS clinicians and staff.

Education/Workshops

• BR Police Academy 40-hour Officer Crisis Intervention Training

• Louisiana Probation and Parole 8-hour POST Academy

• Intermediate Motivational Interviewing CEU (60 registrants)

• Motivational Interviewing for Medical Case Management (11 registrants)

• Turning the Tide-Reducing Overdose Deaths (53 registrants)

• Build Trust Doing Motivational Interviewing and Dialectical Behavior (91 registrants)

• 4th Annual Senior Black American Health Fair (400 attendees)

Significant Funding Partnerships to Achieve CAHS Integrated Services Clinic

This year, CAHS made significant progress in its goal of integrating care planning and opening a primary care clinic to provide medical services for CAHS clients who receive services for behavioral health conditions. The new clinic is called CAHS Total Health and Wellness Clinic. CAHS leveraged funds from Promoting the Integration of Primary and Behavioral Health Care and the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Grants to procure equipment and qualified personnel.

By January of 2025, the clinic had 400 regular patients who accessed care for their chronic health conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Each of these clients received annual exams and preventive care. CAHS will continue to communicate this new service to its clients.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15Z3pCPYelA

PERFORMANCE OUR TELLS OUR STORY

Capital Area Human Services has three divisions: Mental Health, Addiction Recovery, and Developmental Disabilities. The new Total Health and Wellness Clinic provides primary care services to clients. The Prevention and Wellness services enhance extensive outreach and partnerships throughout the region.

2024-25 Fiscal Year - CAHS Overview of Services

5 Clinics 5 Satellite Clinics 7 Parishes in Region 2

New CAHS Total Health and Wellness Services

2,300 Primary Care Services for Clients 594 Active Clients 10 Staffed Trained

3 Peer Groups on Wellness Topics Weekly

1 Veteran Led Peer Group for Vets Weekly

93 CAHS Outreach Events

63 General Community Outreach Events 4 Driving into Recovery Events 18 Naloxone Trainings Totaling 308 Attendees

6 Recovery Sunday Events for Faith Communities 4039 Narcan Kits Distributed Free

63,979 Services Provided 3,212 New Episode Intakes

Community Education/ Workshop Participants

25 Crisis In Training 8-hour LA Probation and Parole

7 BRPD 40-hour CIT Training Intermediate Motivation CEUs 53 Reducing Overdose Deaths Workshop 151 Motivational Interviewing/Medical Case Management/Building Trust CEUs

400 Outreach to Annual Senior Black American Health Fair

6,730 Total Clients Served Prevention & Wellness

Developmental Disabilities

Survey Result Overview

Capital Area Human Services (CAHS) Mental Health & Addictive Disorders Services

SUMMARY

CAHS clients feel respected, involved, and supported. FY25 results affirm CAHS’s role as a trusted behavioral health safety net—while guiding ongoing improvements where they matter most.

Survey Period: March - June 2025 SURVEY AT A GLANCE

Who Responded:

Children, adults, and families served across seven parishes

Method:

Anonymous, standardized SAMHSA-aligned survey

OVERALL SATISFACTION WHAT CLIENTS RATED HIGHEST

Results exceed prior years and national benchmarks

would continue receiving services

would recommend CAHS to others

4.0 = Highest Possible Score; Ranges Across Clinic and Programs:

Access to Services

Appropriateness of Care

Cultural Sensitivity Participation in Treatment

Ascension Behavioral Health (Child/Adolescent) North Baton Rouge Behavioral Health Addiction Recovery Services STANDOUT STRENGTHS NOTABLE FY 2025 IMPROVEMENTS

School Based Behavioral Health ranked among the highest programs system-wide

Cultural sensitivity scored near the top across all service areas

Engagement in treatment planning remains a major strength

CONSISTENTLY STRONG ACROSS:

Children’s Services, Adult Outpatient Mental Health, School Based Behavioral Health, Addiction Recovery & Residential Services

Focus Areas for Continuous Improvement

Outcome of Services (systemwide trend, consistent with public behavioral health nationally)

Medication supports in adult substance-use services

CAHS Reaccredited by CARF for Three Years

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) has renewed CAHS’ accreditation through Nov. 30, 2027, in the areas of mental health and substance use treatment.

“This achievement is an indication of your organization’s dedication and commitment to improving the quality of the lives of the persons served. Services, personnel, and documentation clearly indicate an established pattern of conformance to standards.”

CARF President/CEO Brian Boon, PhD.

Accreditation Details

• Outpatient Treatment: Mental Health (Adults)

• Outpatient Treatment: Mental Health (Children and Adolescents)

• Outpatient Treatment: Substance Use Disorders/Addictions (Adults)

• Outpatient Treatment: Substance Use Disorders/Addictions (Children and Adolescents)

• Residential Treatment: Substance Use Disorders/Addictions (Adults)

Alignment With Louisiana State Health Improvement Plan

The Capital Area Human Services District’s accomplishments during FY 2024–2025 directly support the priorities and objectives outlined in Louisiana’s 2024-2028 State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). Through expanded access to integrated behavioral and physical health services, overdose prevention initiatives, school-based mental health programming, and community prevention efforts, CAHS operationalizes statewide health goals at the regional level.

CAHS’s work advances SHIP priorities to reduce barriers to behavioral health care, prevent deaths from drug misuse, address Adverse Childhood Experiences, improve child and adolescent mental health outcomes, and increase access to preventive and primary care services for underserved populations. These accomplishments demonstrate CAHS’s role as a regional implementer of Louisiana’s SHIP, translating statewide objectives into measurable, community-level impact across Region 2.

2024-2028 Louisiana State Health Improvement Plan Goals

Reduce barriers to behavioral health services

deaths from drug misuse

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)

Integrated Behavioral Health & Primary Care Access

Opened CAHS Total Health & Wellness Clinic (co-located primary care clinic for adults with behavioral health conditions)

Services include preventive care, chronic disease management, women’s health, STI/STD testing, labs, and specialty referrals

Reduced access barriers related to transportation, cost, and care fragmentation for uninsured and underinsured populations

Conducted 18 Narcan trainings across Region 2

Trained 308 community members and professionals

Distributed 439 Narcan kits to first responders, criminal justice partners, healthcare providers, and community organizations

Human Services Annual Management and Program Analysis

Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Accomplishments

Driving into Recovery and Recovery Sunday events in partnership with faith-based and community organizations

prevention education, resources, and social supports diapers, insurance information)

stigma and strengthened community-based recovery support networks

Served 173 children through School-Based Summer Enrichment Programs

Delivered 9,250 school-based clinical services during the academic year

Focused on emotional regulation, coping skills, communication, bullying prevention, and self-esteem

Expanded services in response to school system demand

Delivered Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trainings for law enforcement, probation, and justice system partners

Provided continuing education and evidence-based practice trainings for behavioral health professionals

Strengthened system capacity to respond to behavioral health crises safely and effectively

Launched a youth mental health awareness campaign in partnership with Youth City Lab

Distributed school-based materials promoting self-acceptance, mental wellness, and help-seeking

Increased awareness of anxiety, depression, and suicide risk among youth ages 6–17

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GOALS

PLANS

TELL OUR STORY

Looking Ahead: Aligned for Impact

At Capital Area Human Services (CAHS), we recognize that public service is a public trust — one that carries both great responsibility and opportunity. As the behavioral health safety-net provider for Region 2, we remain accountable to the people we serve, our employees, community partners, and the citizens of Louisiana. Building on the progress of Project Transformation, CAHS is entering the next phase of growth with focus and intention. Guided by our commitment to One Agency, One Standard, our immediate priorities center on improving access, strengthening quality, and ensuring consistency across our system of care.

• Reducing client wait times and improving access to care

• Ensuring individuals are routed quickly to appropriate services

• Improving clinic flow and operational efficiency

• Standardizing district operations to ensure consistent client experiences

• Strengthening data-driven decision-making and performance accountability

• Continuing workforce development to support excellence and retention

These efforts directly support the goals of the Louisiana State Health Improvement Plan, including expanded access to behavioral health services, whole-person care, and improved health equity across communities.

As we move forward, CAHS remains committed to thoughtful stewardship of public resources, measurable outcomes, and continuous improvement — ensuring that every individual who enters our system encounters care that is compassionate, coordinated, and effective.

Together, we remain aligned for impact — connecting people, purpose, and possibility to build a stronger behavioral health system for Louisiana.

Capital Area Human Services District Alignment Plan

CAHS alignment with the Louisiana State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) (2024–2028)

This summary outlines how CAHS’s (2025-2030) strategic initiatives support select Louisiana State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) goals related to Behavioral Health, Substance Use, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). CAHS initiatives are not intended to achieve statewide population-level targets independently but to advance SHIP priorities within Region 2.

Through these initiatives, CAHS plays a critical role in supporting Louisiana’s behavioral health infrastructure, advancing prevention, early intervention, and recovery efforts aligned with the State Health Improvement Plan while responding to the specific needs of Region 2 communities. Expanded telehealth, mobile services, and clinic access

D I X

C = CLINIC

S = SATELLITE CLINIC = ADMINISTRATION OFFICE:

Business, Developmental Disabilities, and Prevention & Wellness Services

MORE INFORMATION

12301 Coursey Blvd

Baton Rouge, LA 70816

Mailing

P.O. Box 66558

Baton Rouge, LA 70896-6558 Administration (225) 922-2700

Clinic Access (225) 925-1906 (800) 768-8824

cahsd.org | realhelpbr.com

All CAHS Service Locations

Addiction Recovery Services at Baton Rouge

Behavioral Health

2751 Wooddale Blvd., Suite A Baton Rouge, LA 70805

Adult Substance Use/Abuse Outpatient Treatment; services include co-occurring mental health treatment, problem gambling treatment, and medication-assisted treatment for opioid use. (225) 925-1906

Ascension Behavioral Health

1056 E. Worthey St., Suite B Gonzales, LA 70737

At this location, we provide outpatient behavioral health treatment for adults and children/adolescents (beginning at age 5). (225) 621-5770

Capital Area Recovery Program (CARP)

2455 Wooddale Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70805

Short-term residential (28 day) addiction recovery treatment facility for men and women, ages 18 and older. (225) 922-3169

Developmental Disabilities Services

12301 Coursey Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70816

Single point of entry for people with developmental disabilities seeking government funded comprehensive services in the home or community.

(225) 925-1910

Iberville Behavioral Health

24705 Plaza Dr., Plaquemine, LA 70764

Adult Mental Health

(225) 907-2218

West Baton Rouge Behavioral Health

685 Louisiana Avenue, Port Allen, LA 70767

Adult Mental Health

(225) 907-2218

ASCEND-ABA Program

422 Colonial Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Outpatient applied behavioral analysis (ABA) for children ages 2-5 years to improve communications, social and adaptive skills. By appointment only.

(225) 922-0644

Donaldsonville Mental Health

950 Catalpa St., Donaldsonville, LA 70346

This location provides outpatient behavioral health treatment for adults and children/adolescents (beginning at age 5). Please call Ascension Behavioral Health at 225-621-5770 for hours of operation, as the schedule for this clinic varies.

(225) 621-5770

Baton Rouge Behavioral Health

2751 Wooddale Blvd., Suite A Baton Rouge, LA 70805

Adult outpatient treatment and recovery support services for mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders.

(225) 925-1906

Children’s Behavioral Health

422 Colonial Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Outpatient behavioral health, addictive disorders for youth ages 5-17 and their families.

(225) 922-0445

North Baton Rouge Behavioral Health

7855 Howell Blvd., 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Baton Rouge, LA 70807

Adult outpatient treatment and recovery support services for mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders.

(225) 359-9315

Pointe Coupee Behavioral Health

282A Hospital Road, New Roads, LA 70760

Adult Mental Health

(225) 907-2218

West Feliciana Behavioral Health

5266 Commerce St., St. Francisville, LA 70775

Adult Mental Health

(225) 907-2218