KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana |Human Service Response Institute

Human Service Response Institute

January 10, 2006
Reported by Libby White

People in Southwest Louisiana can make one call to get their social service needs met. Right after Hurricane Rita, Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach started the Human Service Response Initiative to be a "command center" for the social services available in the Lake Area. The idea was to identify needs and direct them to who's providing that help.

David Duplechain with Family and Youth Counseling, helps coordinate HRSI. On Tuesday, he spoke to the Lake Charles Kiwanis Club about the progress the group is making. The name has even been changed from Human Service Response Initiative to the Human Service Response Institute. Duplechain says that's because they originally came together to help people meet immediate needs like food and water, but now they're helping meet long-term needs. Those needs now include things like helping people who need counseling and jobs. "All the national folks we've worked with have told us to expect the recovery process in its entirety to take 3 to 5 years, so we're in it for the long haul," says Duplechain. "There's a lot of folks who care in this community and we're just glad to be a part of it and be able to help."

If you are interested in receiving social service assistance, contact the HSRI at 433-8258 to see if you qualify. The United Way and religious groups like UMCOR are among the many who are currently helping out.