The recipient entity's physical address:
           1310 S. Range Ave.
Denham Springs, LA 70726

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           1310 S. Range Ave.
Denham Springs, LA 70726

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  4614

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $3,757,000

What type of request is this?  Both

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Name
Hannah Calandro
519 Florida Ave SW
Denham Springs, LA 70726

Mike Dougay
36375 Page Drive
Denham Springs, LA 70726

Jason Harris
458 Centerville St.
Denham Springs, LA

Jody Purvis
27831 Horseshoe Rd. Independence LA 70443

Angela Quirk
31875 Little Flock Cir
Walker, LA 70785

Jama Scivicque
151 Cockerham Rd
Denham Springs, LA 70726

Chantelle Varnado, Executive Director
30535 Colyell Creek Dr.
Denham Springs, LA 70726

David Smith
35120 Stonecastle Dr
Denham Springs LA 70706

David Wascom
9714 Inniswold Estates
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Mission and Organizational Overview:

Launch Therapy Center was founded by Dr. Chantelle Varnado in 2015 to address the critical shortage of pediatric therapeutic services in Livingston Parish and nearby rural communities. What began with three therapists conducting 849 visits in borrowed church classrooms has grown into a leading provider of speech, occupational, and physical therapy. Launch operates a dedicated facility purchased in 2022, where 25 therapists now deliver approximately 24,000 therapy visits each year.

As of August 2023, the current site has reached capacity. Children and families face long waitlists, restrictive insurance coverage, and transportation barriers that delay needed care. Since inception, Launch has served more than 2,900 children. In 2024, staff incurred $64,590 in Medicaid-related administrative costs and $54,858 in unreimbursed therapy services due to policy exclusions, authorization denials, and visit limits. The organization also faced a $459,410 Medicaid reimbursement deficit, reflecting the gap between true service costs and allowable payments. Despite these challenges, Launch continues to provide family coordination, food assistance, transportation support, and training to ensure consistent access to therapy.

Following the state’s TEFRA expansion, 73% of Launch clients are Medicaid recipients. The waitlist includes 375 children, and 65 more receive less therapy than recommended due to limited space. Nearly 90% of those awaiting services rely on Medicaid, demonstrating the need for immediate expansion.

Project Description:

Launch proposes to construct a 13,000-square-foot pediatric therapy and family resource center on three acres of donated land on Veterans Boulevard in Denham Springs, with groundbreaking targeted for January 2026. The facility will double capacity and include:
• A large, flexible therapy gym with movable walls
• Activities of daily living suite to allow for simulation of cooking, bathroom activities, laundry, etc.
• An adaptive playground with wheelchair swings and specialized bikes.
• Multiple play zones that promote peer interaction and engagement.
• A covered entry for medically fragile children and their families to be protected from the Louisiana weather elements.

The new center will also add mental health counseling and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)—the gold standard for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder—and provide space for staff to coordinate Medicaid navigation, transportation, and family support. Early intervention remains key to lifelong progress, and this facility will ensure timely, evidence-based care for Louisiana’s children.

Estimated Project Cost and Funding:

Total Project Cost: $4,500,000
Funds Secured: $743,000 (private donations and in-kind)
Land: 3 acres donated
Capital Outlay Request: $3,757,000

Community and Economic Impact:

The new facility will eliminate the 375-child waitlist, create 20–25 new local jobs, and improve early childhood outcomes across Livingston and neighboring parishes. This investment strengthens Louisiana’s healthcare infrastructure, expands access to essential developmental services, and ensures that all children—regardless of income or insurance—receive the care they need to lead extraordinary lives.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $0
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $4,500,000

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The public purpose of this project is to expand access to essential pediatric therapy and related health services for Louisiana children with developmental disabilities, particularly those from low- and moderate-income families. State funds will enable the construction of a new pediatric therapy and family resource center that will double Launch Therapy Center’s capacity, reduce a 375-child waiting list, and ensure timely access to speech, occupational, physical, and behavioral therapies.

By addressing the unmet healthcare needs of Medicaid-eligible and underserved children, the project will:
• Improve developmental outcomes, school readiness, and long-term independence for Louisiana’s children.
• Reduce reliance on special education, acute medical interventions, and institutional care.
• Strengthen the local healthcare workforce by creating 20–25 new professional and support positions.
• Enhance community well-being through improved access to early intervention, family training, and social supports.

This project directly supports the State of Louisiana’s objectives to promote public health, early childhood development, and economic stability. It fulfills a clear public need by providing equitable healthcare access and ensuring that children with disabilities can reach their full potential as contributing members of the community.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Goal 1 – Expand Access to Care:
Construct a 13,000-square-foot pediatric therapy and family resource center on three acres of donated land in Denham Springs to double Launch Therapy Center’s current service capacity. This will reduce the existing 375-child waiting list and allow for the delivery of over 45,000 therapy visits annually.

Goal 2 – Improve Health and Developmental Outcomes:
Provide timely, evidence-based speech, occupational, physical, and behavioral therapies to children with developmental disabilities—ensuring earlier diagnosis, greater functional independence, and improved school readiness for Louisiana’s most vulnerable children.

Goal 3 – Address Social Determinants of Health:
Since 70% of therapeutic outcomes can be attributed to social determinants of health, integration of care coordination, transportation support, parent education, and mental-health counseling will be incorporated within the new facility to remove non-medical barriers that prevent consistent therapy attendance and long-term progress.

Goal 4 – Strengthen the Local Workforce and Economy:
Create 20–25 new professional and support jobs in allied health, administration, and family services while expanding internship and training opportunities for Louisiana students in therapy and social work fields.

Goal 5 – Ensure Sustainability and Accountability:
Leverage public investment to attract private philanthropy and long-term partnerships with schools, hospitals, and community agencies. Progress will be measured through reduced waitlists, increased therapy hours delivered, family satisfaction surveys, and improved child outcome metrics tracked through Launch’s data system thus creating a replicable model for other programs in the state.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           18 months

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 n/a
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 n/a

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 n/a

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  n/a

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               n/a

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               n/a

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                n/a

          What is the nature of the relationship?  n/a

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 na

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               n/a


Contact Information
name:  Chantelle Varnado 
                                       address:  1310 S. Range Ave.
Denham Springs, LA 70726
                                       phone:  225-380-1894
                                       fax:  225-380-1896
                                       e-mail:  chantelle@launchpeds.com
                                       relationship to entity:  Executive Director