The recipient entity's physical address:
           7784 Innovation Park Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70820

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           7784 Innovation Park Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70820

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:  2134

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $62,500

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

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:
           Charles Blaize, Chair, The Emerge School
2841 Calanne Ave
Baton Rouge, LA 70820

Steve Cangelosi, Chair
3199 Twelve Oaks Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Josselin Carter
9215 Kindletree Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70817

Vicki Crochet
2346 Kleinert Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Mike DePaul, Immediate Past Chair
7521 St. Edmund Ct.
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Zelma Frederick
6281 Ridge Way Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70817

Terrence Ginn
2145 Donray Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Beverly Haydel
2977 Fritchie Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Charlotte Hollman, M.D., Secretary
4412 Lake Lawford Ct.
Baton Rouge, LA 70817

Lloyd Johnson, Treasurer
3926 Garden View
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Catherine Katzenmeyer, M.D.
1464 Steele Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Janna Oetting
3113 East Lakeshore Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Paul Saltaformaggio, Treasurer
2277 Kleinert Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Audrey Wascome
9503 Cabernet Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70817

Sylvia Winder
2545 78th Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70807

Beau Wolfe, Chair, The Emerge Foundation
648 Pastureview Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Deanna Whittle, CEO, The Emerge Center
19220 North Shore Court
Baton Rouge, LA 70817

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           The Emerge Center empowers children with autism and individuals with communication challenges to achieve independence through innovative and family-centered therapies.

Emerge Center is a beacon of hope for children with autism and individuals with communication challenges. Located in Baton Rouge, Emerge is the Gulf South’s largest non-profit therapy provider for children with autism.

At Emerge, children and families find support, comfort, and relief knowing that someone is working hard and advocating on behalf of their child.

The Center approaches each child uniquely through a proven model of early intervention.

Emerge offers speech and occupational therapy, Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy, behavior health services and hearing services under one roof, which alleviates the burden of family members.

Emerge blends an academic approach with a nurturing staff to achieve results for children with autism and other communications challenges.

Emerge serves children and families from 36 parishes statewide.
More than half of Emerge's clients receive Medicaid benefits are a low-income.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $0
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $100,000
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

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?
          Not Applicable

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          For most young children, learning to communicate is a thrilling developmental milestone. A world of connections is suddenly revealed as a child acquires a new word, learns to point to a desired object or starts to understand how to comfortably interact with others. Many of the growing numbers of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other communication challenges, however, suffer from an inability to understand the complex dance that characterizes the social world. As a result, it is more difficult for them to interact and engage with others. This communication barrier can cause anxiety, frustration, and feelings of isolation and confusion.

The Emerge Center in Baton Rouge offers hope and possibilities to children and families facing a diagnosis of autism or communication challenges. Using evidence-based therapies and a tireless commitment to quality outcomes, our team helps families imagine brighter futures for their children; independent, successful, happy futures. Anything is possible.

For more than 60 years, we have served thousands of individuals and families in and around Baton Rouge, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. The Emerge Center has been a trailblazer in the field of early intervention therapeutic services for families facing autism and other communication challenges.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Children with autism and other communication challenges have the best chance of success when therapy begins early. Thus, the cornerstone of our work is an early intervention model that carefully addresses multiple issues simultaneously. This innovative approach integrates therapists, psychologists and social workers into a single team with the child and family at the Center. It’s a one-stop-shop approach that is invaluable to families, many of whom have had to act as their child’s care coordinator, thereby forcing them to become experts in educational policy, the healthcare system, early intervention and insurance law, much of which varies by state. Our streamlined approach allows families to see better results and experience far less stress.

Our therapeutic services include speech therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, behavioral health and one-on-one Applied Behavior Analysis, a therapeutic model that focuses on positive changes in behavior. We work with children both individually and in small group sessions to prepare them for a school setting. Our therapists are in constant communication with each other and with parents and caregivers about a child’s progress, and what can be done at home to extend the work accomplished at the Center.

The Emerge Center is a magical place. Families arrive feeling isolated and hopeless, but the minute they walk through the door, they feel a sense of calm. Everything about The Emerge Center’s design, from lighting to play areas to parent/therapist observation booths, is intended to create a safe and productive atmosphere where the best possible therapeutic results can be achieved. Our highly-trained therapists are dedicated to helping each child reach new developmental and communication milestones.

The breadth of our services and our collaborative approach are unparalleled. We have formed partnerships with top physicians, community organizations and universities to ensure we provide best-in-class resources to the families we serve. Through a combination of evidence-based methods, compassionate staff and a network of influential partners, we have restored hope to thousands of children and families.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           1 year

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:
                
    
     (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:
                

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

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

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: 
               

(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:
              

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

          What is the nature of the relationship? 

(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:
                

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


Contact Information
name:  Deanna Whittle 
                                       address:  7784 Innovation Park Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70820
                                       phone:  225-343-4232
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  dwhittle@emergela.org
                                       relationship to entity:  CEO