[StBernard] LRA Progress Report - October 8, 2007

[Westley Annis]

LRA Progress Report - October 8, 2007


In this issue:


*	Deadline to Schedule Road Home Interview Approaches
*	LRA Board Members Promote New Orleans as Site for 2008 Presidential Debate
*	Primary Care Grants Awarded to New Orleans Health Care Providers
*	McNeese State University Band Dons New Uniforms
*	LSU, Tulane Commemorative Jersey Proceeds to Benefit Hurricane Relief
	
	

Deadline to Schedule Road Home Interview Approaches


The deadline for Road Home applicants to schedule initial interviews is December 1, 2007, the Office of Community Development announced last week. All appointments must be completed by December 15, 2007. The Road Home program requires applicants to complete an appointment with a program housing advisor. Homeowners who do not schedule this appointment by December 1 and complete it by December 15 will be considered ineligible to receive assistance from the program. Applicants who have yet to schedule their first appointments may do so by calling 1.888.762.3252. 



LRA Board Members Promote New Orleans as Site for 2008 Presidential Debate


The leadership of the Louisiana Recovery Authority's (LRA) Board of Directors called on the Commission on Presidential Debates to select New Orleans as a host city for a 2008 presidential debate. As New Orleans and Louisiana continue to confront one of the greatest rebuilding efforts to date, LRA Chairman Norman Francis and Co-Chairman Walter Isaacson noted both the historic significance of holding a debate in New Orleans and broad support for the city's bid. The Commission will announce the debate locations later this month. To read the press release from the LRA click here <http://www.lra.louisiana.gov/pr100207debate.html> . 


Primary Care Grants Awarded to New Orleans Health Care Providers


The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals awarded $16.7 million in grants to 25 health care providers providing services in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard or Plaquemines parishes. These funds will help patients have more access to quality health care providers. The three-year DHH grant program is designed to meet the increasing demand for health care services in the four-parish greater New Orleans area and to decrease the reliance on emergency room usage for primary care services by Medicaid and those people without insurance or who are under-insured. For more information about DHH's grant program click here <http://www.dhh.state.la.us/news.asp?Detail=1196> . 


McNeese State University Band Dons New Uniforms


The McNeese State University band debuted newly acquired uniforms in a recent football game against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Water damage sustained from Hurricane Rita destroyed all of the band members' uniforms, and for the past two years the Cowboys' band wore navy pants and polo shirts in place of their traditional uniforms. To read the McNeese press release in its entirety click here <http://www.mcneese.edu/news/newsdisplay/viewnewsjl.asp?headline=MSU+to+Unveil+New+Band+Uniforms> . 


LSU-Tulane Commemorative Jersey Proceeds to Benefit Hurricane Relief

In September's match-up in the Superdome, LSU and Tulane wore jerseys designed as part of a Nike promotion benefiting Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. The shoulder of the jerseys featured a pelican emblem, designed to represent a phoenix rising from the ashes. The phoenix was intended to symbolize New Orleans' rebirth from Katrina's devastation. For more information on Nike's efforts in New Orleans click here <http://www.letmeplay.com/?DB_OEM_ID=5200> . 


Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blan! co to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana. 


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