By Crystal Mayo, BABES COO
It’s been nearly two months since our Annual Family Reunion and conference was held, but the memories live on as BABES’ staff often reflects back to that entire week of events and trainings. Included in those fond memories would be “our” ladies from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Speaking of southern charm, they brought it daily to the conference along with their Louisiana spirit. We truly enjoyed them from the moment they stepped into the Meet and Greet until the final day of the training.
I’d been in conversation with Stephanie Price, Licensed Prevention Professional, for several months prior to the conference. The original plan was for BABES’ training staff to travel to Louisiana to train teachers in Basic BABES at Baton Rouge Parish School System.
After learning that the 3-day training was being offered during the annual event, Price moved rather quickly to get the green light from the district for her and three others to participate in the conference. We were elated when we received the call from Price stating that they were coming. I couldn’t wait to share with Reverend Lottie that not only did we have guests from New Jersey we would soon also add to the BABES 2018 Family Reunion and Conference album staff from the Baton Rouge Parish School System. The “happy dance” was in order.
East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS) is home to nine U.S. Blue Ribbon Schools, a nationally renowned Magnet Program and some of the best high schools in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. They are also currently the second largest public school system in the state of Louisiana, serving more than 42,000 students.
The ladies who attended the conference work at EBRPSS in CARE, which is a prevention program for East Baton Rouge Parish School District, serving the Baton Rouge Community for over 37 years. The program provides prevention education to students (Pre-K–12th grade) in public, parochial, and private schools in the areas of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, violence, crisis response and management. Staff are Licensed Prevention Professionals, who are also educators with at least a master’s degree accompanied with many hours of specialized training in prevention and related topics.
Several years ago, I CARE implemented BABES within the district. “We are finding even now that the BABES program meets the needs of our society and is relevant in the 21st Century,” states Price. “New people filter through the I CARE program and we, as an organization, plan to continue the work of BABES by training and utilizing the curriculum in our prevention work daily.” When speaking about meeting the creator of BABES, Price commented, “As a collective group, we were pleased and excited to meet the creator of BABES. Reverend Lottie is a brilliant person who, with an incredible skill level, created, designed, and developed a wonderful program which positively impacts children in a variety of areas. The lessons that are taught through this program demonstrate her love for children and her insight and knowledge about the possible obstacles that they could encounter. We found her spirit to be infectious.” As for the ladies’ feelings about PREVENTION PLACE, “It is an absolutely incredible setting. It brings to life one’s imagination and the lessons throughout the program.”
Price says that EBRPSS is “excited about incorporating the curriculum into our program long-term.”
BABES looks forward to a fruitful relationship with our Baton Rouge family.
