A team of employees from the Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Behavioral Health, “adopted” CAHS client Josiah Bourg and surprised him and his family with the delivery of more than $1,000 worth of toys, gifts, and gift cards in time for Christmas.
“It was such an honor and blessing for the OBH Team to be able to do this for Josiah and his parents,” said OBH’s Consumer Recovery and Membership Services Program Manager Charlene Gradney, MSW, LCSW-BACS.
Every year, the OBH employees identify a client to “adopt” for Christmas. This year, the OBH team visited Josiah and his parents on Dec. 21 to deliver toys that were on Josiah’s wish list, as well as gift cards from various stores.
The OBH employees said Josiah and his family seemed overwhelmed by all the gifts and care they received.
Josiah attends CAHS’ ASCEND (Accelerated Supports for a Child’s Evolving Neurodevelopment) program that serves children with autism, ages 2 to 7.
The ASCEND program, located at CAHS’ Children’s Behavioral Health Clinic, 422 Colonial Dr. in Baton Rouge, prepares young children with autism for school and life by teaching them how to communicate, socialize, play, and learn academically.
