[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14768]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              SALUTING LOUISIANA FAITH IN ACTION GRANTEES

 Mr. BREAUX. Mr. President, I am proud to serve as ranking 
member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, a position which 
allows me to focus on issues important to older Americans. One of the 
most critical concerns of our Nation's seniors is the need for long-
term care services. And though the lack of available long-term care 
service is a substantial problem today, the demand for long-term care 
services will overwhelm an already-strained system as our Nation's 77 
million baby boomers age.
  Family caregivers are the cornerstone of our long-term care system, 
providing 80 percent of all long-term care in this country. Most older 
and disabled Americans prefer to remain in their own homes or in the 
community and many do so, thanks to the support and love of family 
caregivers. But we all know that family caregivers cannot provide 
around-the-clock care--many have jobs and children to raise. Caregiving 
is stressful and it places heavy emotional, physical and financial 
burdens on caregivers. Research shows that caregivers need a variety of 
services to support them in their caregiving roles. One innovative and 
valuable service to family caregivers is the ``Faith in Action'' 
program sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, one of our Nation's leading 
philanthropic health care organizations, has been supporting creative 
programs for the delivery of health care for many years. Their Faith in 
Action program is a faith-based initiative which enables elderly and 
disabled individuals to continue to live in their homes with the 
support of coordinated efforts between interfaith coalitions and social 
service agencies including senior centers, parish councils on aging, 
area agencies on aging, and hospitals.
  The Faith in Action program provides grant money to help these groups 
provide services, including organizing outreach to the homebound; 
training group leaders who oversee outreach ministries; locating 
homebound people who have lost touch with their communities; recruiting 
volunteers from church congregations and communities; connecting with 
local medical and social services; and providing emotional support 
services to community members. All of these organizations share a 
common goal--to provide long-term care to their neighbors in need.
  Next week, the 14 Faith in Action grantees in Louisiana and 
interested faith and community leaders will join me in New Orleans for 
an event where we will honor the current grantees and volunteers and 
encourage other interested groups and individuals to become Faith in 
Action grantees. Together they can use their expertise and energy to 
make a real difference in the lives of Louisiana seniors and disabled 
persons.
  Mr. President, today I want to recognize these 14 existing grantees 
in Louisiana: Rapides Station Community Ministries, Inc., The Shepherd 
Center, Inter-Faith Caregivers of the Greater Baton Rouge Federation of 
Churches & Synagogues, The Mental Health Association of Louisiana, 
Faith in Action of Acadiana, Love Inc., of Acadiana, Volunteers of 
America Inc., Boys & Girls Club of Minden, Inc., Alzheimer's Disease 
and Related Disorders Association Northeast/Central Louisiana Chapter, 
G.T. Consultants Services, Inc., St. Francis Medical Center, Uptown 
Area Senior Adult Ministry, Inc., H.O.P.E. Ministry, Inc., and 
Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal Inc.
  Thanks to their contribution to their communities, these grantees 
have enabled over 1100 elderly and disabled persons in Louisiana to 
remain at home. Keeping families together and allowing our seniors and 
disabled persons to live independently saves money, improves quality of 
life and strengthens our communities. Again, I applaud the Louisiana 
Faith in Action grantees, community partners and volunteers for their 
contribution to Louisiana families and to broadening long-term care 
options for the people of Louisiana.

                          ____________________