Lou Palma has become the fourth executive director of the Boys and Girls Country’s home located in northwest Harris County.
Palma follows Shirley Wright, who served in the role for 13 years and recently retired.
Palma began his career 35 years ago at Father Flanagan’s Boys Home and spent 24 years there, where he served in every role from direct
service delivery to program director, regional director and director of
admissions. He comes to Boys and Girls Country most recently from Las Vegas,
Nev., where he worked as the manager of child welfare services for the Clark
County Department of Family Services.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from the University of
Nebraska and master
’s degree in Human Development and Family Life from the University of Kansas.
Women’s Services at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital and Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital both have received certification as Texas Ten Step Facilities by the Texas
Hospital Association and the Texas Department of State Health Services for
their comprehensive breastfeeding support programs. Texas Ten Step
certification requires facilities to have 75 percent of mothers breastfeeding
at discharge, and to identify breastfeeding support resources for mothers prior
to and following delivery.
“Becoming a Texas Ten Step Certified Hospital recognizes the excellent
breastfeeding support and nursing care that we provide to new mothers and
babies,
” said Steven Weber, chief nursing officer at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land. “The certification acknowledges our commitment to supporting breastfeeding
through our patient care practices, staff training and family education.
”
The program, which recognizes breastfeeding as the ideal nutrition for infants,
is based on the WHO-UNICEF Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.
The goal of Texas Ten Step is to help hospitals increase breastfeeding rates to
75 percent of infants at hospital discharge, 50 percent at six months and 25
percent at one year. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises breastfeeding
exclusively for the first six months, maintaining breastfeeding for the first
year and as mutually desired between mother and child thereafter.
Researchers have determined that beginning breastfeeding early improves the
breastfeeding experience and reduces the risk of infant morbidities and
mortalities.
After delivery, assistance continues with follow-up lactation support for
mothers after discharge and resources for community breastfeeding support.
Katy Community Higher Education Task Force, a collaborative educational partnership consisting of civic entities,
community leaders and business partners working together to study, develop and
plan for the viability and sustainability of a PK-20+ Framework for the
community, has been formed. The announcement was made by State Senator Glenn
Hegar (R- SD 18) and State Representative Bill Callegari (R-HD 132).
Created to improve and expand higher education opportunities for students and
businesses, the Task Force aims to create a seamless transition between high
school and post-secondary opportunities, provide students with work-based
learning experiences, and provide businesses with workers trained in the skills
that are needed most.
“We are proud to be a part of this important initiative,” said Hegar and Callegari. “As our community’s population grows, expanding educational opportunities for our students is
critical. It is important that we begin to identify issues and actions related
to areas such as the design and alignment of K-12 and higher education systems,
accountability, as well as political, cultural, fiscal and other policy
barriers within the community.
“As co-chairs of the Katy Community Higher Education Task Force, we look forward
to working with the members of this task force and appreciate the dedication,
commitment and service to the community we call home.
”
Members of the Katy Community Higher Education task force include: Ann Davis,
Mayor Don Elder, Superintendent Alton Frailey, Mace Hirt, Ann Hodge, Senator
Joan Huffman, Tracy Janda, Lance LaCour, Peyton Lumpkin, Jack McCabe, Senator
Dan Patrick, Representative Hubert Vo, Jamie Wolman, Representative John
Zerwas, Robert Garza, Van Martin, Liz O
’Donnell, Mona Covington and Anna Web-Storey.
