Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2007-08-22

Duration: 00:56:40

Subjects: Educational change | Family Issues | Youth | Filmed panel discussions | Child welfare | Foster home care

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Freeman, Craig Host
• Godoy, Al Producer
• Goodman, Denise Interviewee
• Gautreux, Marketa Interviewee
• Falcon, Patricia Interviewee
• LaBauve, Randy Interviewee
• Fogle, Anna Interviewee
• Broome, Sharon Weston Interviewee
• Berry, Chauna Speaker
• Long, Zelda Speaker
• Ali, Louis Speaker
• Brown, Brandon Speaker
• Stagnoli, Richard Speaker
• Lohman, Jane Speaker
• Griswald, Gayle Speaker
• Gill, Barbara Speaker
• Harris, Justin Speaker
• Fontenot, Susan Speaker
• Smith, Walter Speaker
• Williamson, Ann Silverburg Panelist
• Falgoust, Teresa Panelist
• Jetson, Raymond Panelist
• McDaniels, Darryl "DMC" Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from August 22, 2007, features Craig Freeman leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists about the quality of children’s welfare in Louisiana with a specific focus on the foster care and adoption system. A background report on the topic precedes the discussion. It includes interviews with: Denise Goodman, of the Annie E. Casey Foundation; Marketa Gautreau, Louisiana Department of Social Services; Patricia Falcon, of the Reilly Center for Children and Families; Randy LaBauve, local foster parent; Anna Fogle, Louisiana Partnership for Families and Children; and State Senator Sharon Weston Broome. The audience members then discuss their views on how to better improve the lives of Louisiana’s children, the government’s role in promoting these efforts, and the effects of poverty and education on children’s welfare. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are: Secretary Ann Silverburg Williamson of the Louisiana Department of Social Services; Teresa Falgoust, coordinator of the Kids Count Agenda for Children; Raymond Jetson of the Louisiana Family Recovery Corps; and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, performer and children’s advocate. They discuss: why Louisiana is ranks so low in child welfare statistics; how to improve these statistics; the role of mentorship in the quality of children’s lives; and ways to integrate community and policy to improve the lives of Louisiana’s children. This program was preserved through a 2022-2023 Public Broadcasting Preservation Fellowship. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Craig Freeman