1. Give me a brief history of your company.
Our founders, Jack and Ruth Eckerd, were philanthropists with tremendous vision, leadership, and commitment to creating better futures for children and families. They believed every child is valuable and deserves the opportunity to succeed, in need of a second chance.
2. What would you tell the rest of Acadiana makes you special?
Eckerd Kids Acadiana Wraparound Agency is the lead agency for coordinating services for youth with a significant behavioral health issue who are at risk of out of home placement. Eckerd Kids collaborates with the Statewide Family Support Organization, to support families who face challenges with multiple child-serving systems including Behavioral Health, Child Welfare, Education, and Juvenile Justice.
3. What are you most proud of?
Since 1968, Eckerd Kids has provided second chances to nearly 200,000 children and their families. Eckerd Kids has made significant investments in performance measurement, processes, tools, systems, and personnel to become one of the finest performance-based youth and family service organizations in the nation.
4. Where do you see your business in 10 years? What are your plans for the future?
Continue to connect children and families to services within their community. We plan to expand our brand throughout the eight parishes we serve to ensure the children who are in need are given a second chance.
5. 1A is “Focused on Forward” – meaning we are taking an active role in improving the community we live in. Our members are Focused on Forward, too! – What does Focused on Forward mean to you? How is your company Focused on Forward?
To us, Focused on Forward means adapting to change from every entity. In the society we live in change occurs every day and we must remain focused and continue to ensure that each child has the opportunity to succeed.