I am pleased to report that 2009 was a very successful year in terms of services provided to children, youth, and families by the Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services. Our direct care services at the Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston remained populated at operational capacity throughout the year. A total of 1,187 individual children were referred for residential services. We were able to care for 290 or 24% of the requests. A total of 128 beds are available on a daily basis for all levels of care, 106 in Ruston and 22 in Mandeville. 257 resided on the Ruston Campus and 33 at the Mandeville Campus.

During this past year a total of 2,211 individuals were served through the Family Counseling Center on the campus of the Children’s Home.

The Family Plus Program continues to grow. During the year a total of 1,384 individuals were provided some level of direct care ranging from crisis intervention and counseling to parental education training. A total of 657 families received services.

A unit total of 20,912 activities occurred at the Outdoor Wilderness Learning (OWL) Center. With 10,376 individuals participating. This is a 10% increase from the previous year. These activities included the Challenge Course (Ropes), camping, fishing, hiking, biking, sport field, hothouse plants, equine therapy, the maze, and the Karen A. Vining Memorial Arbor Walk.

We received a total operating income of $11,726,508 and had expenditures of $12,315,567. A total amount of $566,632 reserve revenue from prior years was utilized to balance the budget. Detailed reports will be published once our Annual Audit is completed.

The support from our donors was truly a blessing, and that support is what kept us solvent this year. Our Board of Directors, our staff, and I, on behalf of the Children given new hope in life by experiencing God’s Love through our ministry thank you for being on our team during 2009. May God bless all that we do in 2010!

Respectfully,

Terrel DeVille
President/CEO
LUMCFS, Inc.