Finance committee backs $20,000 cooperative agreement to fund adaptive bikes for Ascension Parish children

The Ascension Parish Finance Committee on Dec. 9 moved to approve a cooperative endeavor agreement to provide $20,000 to the McLennan Family Foundation to supply adaptive bicycles to children with special needs in the parish.

Allison, who identified herself as the executive director of the McClendon Family Foundation, told the committee the program serves children as young as 3 through adulthood, works with physical and occupational therapists to select safe, customized bikes, and rehomes outgrown equipment. "So to date, we've given 731 adaptive bikes, and we have no plan on stopping," Allison said. She estimated that the parish's one-time $20,000 contribution would fund about 8 to 10 bikes and said families reported measurable benefits: "95 percent of the children and families that take our post adaptive bike delivery survey say they increase their strength," and "100% of the families say that their child's quality of life is improved."

The agenda packet describes the agreement under the McLennan Family Foundation name; the presenter used a slightly different spelling when introducing herself. The committee moved and seconded the item and sent it to the council for final action.

Why it matters: Committee members noted long wait lists for adaptive equipment and framed the funding as a targeted, one-time appropriation to increase inclusion and physical activity for children with disabilities. The presenter emphasized program sustainability through recycling customized bikes as children outgrow them.

The committee did not record a roll-call vote in the committee meeting; final approval will be on the full council docket.