Caddo committee recommends exploring merger of Joint Council with statutory Children and Youth Planning Board; motion passes 4-0

The Caddo Parish Commission's Juvenile Justice Committee voted 4-0 on Feb. 19 to recommend that parish administration continue discussions with a newly formed Joint Council on children's health about serving as the statutory Children and Youth Planning Board.

Commissioner Stefan Jones moved that administration "move forward with the process of partnering with this group," and Commissioner Ron Cawthorn seconded the motion. The motion, clarified as a recommendation to the full commission, carried by roll call: four in favor, one absent.

The Joint Council, organized out of an LSU Health Shreveport initiative and described at the meeting by Buck McGee, said it is in a discovery phase to assemble public data, research and family and youth perspectives to build a coordinated strategic plan. McGee told the committee, "Every child in Caddo Parish deserves a childhood that is safe, stable, and nurturing." He asked for support to hold parent and caregiver focus groups in each commission district to ensure broad input.

Administration told the committee there is no current funding for the statutory planning board and that state law requires a 12‑member youth planning board; officials suggested adding three commission‑recommended members to reach the required membership and help the board function. The administration also advised that any meetings of a parish planning board would need to comply with the state open meetings law.

A chair amendment to include up to $10,000 in support was proposed as a friendly amendment during debate but was later withdrawn; the committee's vote was limited to authorizing further conversations, research and a return to the committee with findings before any full commission action.

The committee instructed administration to complete further legal and operational research and to report back, with the understanding that any formal change would be contingent on the Joint Council's acceptance and on satisfying statutory requirements.

Next steps identified at the meeting include administration's follow‑up research and a planned report back to the committee prior to referral to the full commission for a final decision.