Florida Parishes Human Services Authority
Minutes of the FPHSA Governing Board Meeting
FPHSA Headquarters
835 Pride Drive, Suite B, Hammond, LA 70401
June 26, 2026
Dr. Genesa Garafolo Metcalf, Chair, called the meeting of the Florida
Parishes Human Services Authority (FPHSA) Governing Board to order
at 9:30 a.m.
Rebecca Soley conducted a roll call. A quorum was established.
Attendees
Governing Board: David Duplantier, Byron Hurst, Melissa Jones,
Timothy Lentz; Genesa Garofalo Metcalf, M.D, Meagan Possoit; JoBeth
Valentino; and Noble-Bates Young
Absent: Deborah Kropog
FPHSA Staff/ Guest: Richard Kramer, FPHSA Executive Director;
Rebecca Soley, FPHSA Board Secretary; and Rachelle Sibley, Chief
Executive Officer
Prayer was offered by Mr. Lentz.
Agenda/Consent Agenda
Dr. Metcalf extended an offer for additional agenda items or revisions to
the agenda.
Mr. Lentz made a motion adopting the agenda as presented; seconded
by Mr. Duplantier.
Swearing-In Ceremony
Excused Absences
Ms. Possoit made a motion excusing the absence of Ms. Kropog;
seconded by Mr. Lentz.
The motion passed unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Duplantier made a motion to adopt the May 22, 2026, minutes as
written; the motion was seconded by Ms. Young.
The motion passed unanimously.
Public Input
Dr. Metcalf welcomed all in attendance and extended an opportunity for
public input.
Executive Director Report
The Executive Director presented the June 2026 report, highlighting
progress on several key initiatives. Plans remain underway for relocation
to the new administrative building, with an anticipated move-in date of
August 2026 pending final lease execution. He also reported ongoing
discussions regarding a potential expansion of Developmental Disabili-
ties services that could add up to six new staff positions.
Mr. Kramer advised that implementation of the Certified Community
Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) expansion has been postponed until
at least July 2027 due to state funding changes; however, existing grant
funding will continue through September 2027. He further noted that the
Louisiana Department of Health has revised federal funding require-
ments, necessitating the use of contracts rather than memoranda of
understanding (MOUs) for funding agreements.
The Executive Director reported positive feedback from staff partic-
ipating in the agency’s AI documentation pilot and indicated that full
implementation is being considered. He also highlighted the successful
launch of the Florida Parishes Behavioral Health Task Force and ongo-
ing efforts to strengthen regional behavioral health collaboration.
Additional updates included coordination with the 22nd Judicial District
to develop a behavioral health screening process for newly arrested
individuals and discussions with St. Helena Parish regarding the use
of opioid settlement funds to support community outreach and expand-
ed mobile services. The Board also reviewed workforce and program
data, including staffing levels and vacancies, as well as ongoing service
trends across behavioral health and developmental disabilities pro-
grams.
Ms. Young made a motion to accept the Executive Director’s report as
presented; seconded by Dr. Hurst.
The motion passed unanimously.
Financial Report:
Fiscal Year 2026 (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026)
Ms. Sibley presented the budget analysis, as of May 31, 2026, that
reflected a projected deficit, along with anticipated collections from the
agency’s self-generated budget. The FY26 Escrow Budget was also
shared with the board. She indicated that the Fiscal Department would
continue to monitor revenues and expenditures closely, as well as work
with the Leadership Team to minimize or eliminate the deficit by fiscal
year end.
Mr. Lentz made a motion to accept the financial report as presented;
seconded by Ms. Young.
The motion passed unanimously.
Executive Session: Executive Director Salary
Mr. Lentz made a motion to enter executive session at 10:08 a.m. to
discuss the Executive Director’s salary; seconded by Ms. Young.
Mr. Lentz made a motion to end executive session at 10:21 a.m.; sec-
onded by Ms. Young.
The board indicated that Mr. Kramer is the lowest paid Executive Direc-
tor in the state amongst the other Local Governance Entities (LGEs). Dr.
Metcalf added that he has refused the full amount of the board approved
salary increase every year for the last eight years that she has been
serving on the board. The board discussed aligning Mr. Kramer’s salary
to be more comparable to the median salary of the other LGE Execu-
tive Directors. JoBeth Valentino made a motion to adjust the Executive
Director’s salary effective July 1, 2026; seconded by Ms. Young.
The motion passed unanimously.
Confirmation of the Next Meeting
It was confirmed that the next meeting of the FPHSA Governing Board
will be June 26. 2026, at FPHSA Headquarters at 9:30 a.m.
Adjournment
Ms. Young made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:33 a.m.; second-
ed by Mr. Duplantier.
The motion passed unanimously.
Cost of notice: $144.38