Community Outreach

Respect U

RESPECT U is the first in a planned series of annual school year initiatives. Representatives from the District Attorney’s Office incorporate themes from the RESPECT U platform into lessons they present to students through various DA’s Office programs such as: Project L.E.A.D., The Domino Effect, Internet Safety and Personal Empowerment Programs (PEP).

In the 2018 / 2019 school year, the Lafourche District Attorney’s Office launched a yearlong initiative with the goal of improving the emotional and social well being of children throughout our parish called RESPECT U.

Self-respect is the main focus of RESPECTU as self-respect enables us to respect others. Respect for others radiates out to make a positive and powerful impact on our communities.

Students throughout our parish were asked what it would mean if we learned to embrace the concept of respecting ourselves and those around us, and these were some of their responses:

  • Love and mercy would come more naturally
  • We would always be able to give selflessly
  • We would become more approachable, more understanding, and more empathetic
  • We would strengthen our character and would be able to love others more thoroughly
  • We would have healthier friendships and relationships
  • Our identity wouldn’t be what bullies say it is

D.A. Russell invites everyone to check out the inaugural RESPECTU video on the Lafourche D.A.’s Facebook page. You may recognize students from the northern, central and southern parts of the parish who took part in filming. As part of the initiative and to help serve as a reminder, D.A. Russell and the students in the video learned RESPECTU in sign language, and will be sharing it in the schools. Until we run out, we will also be giving RESPECTU yard signs to the various organizations that partner with us on this very important, very rewarding initiative. RESPECTU is a movement, and it starts with U.

RespectULogo

Project L.E.A.D.

(Legal Enrichment and Decision-Making)

Project L.E.A.D. aims to educate students regarding the judicial system. As part of the interactive classroom experience, scenarios in which the characters approach various moral crossroads are acted out by students and discussed. These scenarios are designed to illustrate how easy it can sometimes be to step over the line intentionally and unintentionally. This format allows students to use role playing to focus on legal and social problems they may face. The class exercises and activities are designed to promote critical thinking skills and explore the consequences of poor decision making.

The multi-meeting program concludes with a mock trial. Students play the parts of lawyers, witnesses, police, jurors, and others at the mock trial, which allows students to see for themselves how the legal system functions. By actively educating students in the process of our legal system, they gain an increased understanding of our legal process which helps foster respect for the law.

Domino Effect

In the Spring of each school year, the District Attorney, Kristine Russell, visits all four high schools in Lafourche parish to present the Domino Effect. During the presentation, D.A. Russell addresses high school seniors about the potential, life changing ramifications of impaired driving. Guest speakers and videos provide students with real life examples of these ramifications.

District Attorney Truancy Program

(DATE)

The truancy program grew out of a need to combat chronic absenteeism in parish schools. Numerous studies have shown that high rates of absenteeism often lead to discipline problems and poor academic performance. The DATE program, through truancy court, holds parents accountable for their children’s school attendance. DATE seeks to work with the Lafourche Parish School Board to make our school system the best it can be.

Internet Safety and Cyber Bullying

The District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Lafourche, makes presentations to area schools and churches regarding the dangers associated with unsupervised internet use by children. Topics discussed include Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, cyber bullying, and cyber stalking.

Personal Empowerment Programs

(PEP)

The District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Lafourche, makes presentations to area schools and churches regarding the dangers associated with unsupervised internet use by children. Topics discussed include Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, cyber bullying, and cyber stalking.