PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE LOUISIANA OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

DATE: April 22, 2005

CONTACT: Gus Wales

PHONE: (225) 922-2029

FAX: (225) 922-0790

LOSFA to participate in U.S. Rep. Baker's inaugural 'Constituent Opportunities Expo'


BATON ROUGE, La. – U.S. Rep. Richard Baker, R-Baton Rouge has announced that he is assembling for the first time a “Constituent Opportunities Expo,” to be held from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday, April 30 at the State Police Training Auditorium at 7901 Independence Blvd. in Baton Rouge.

The event is designed as a comprehensive venue to provide Sixth District residents information about opportunities available to them through federal, state and local government agencies, as well as national, state and local service organizations. The “Constituent Opportunities Expo” will offer educational seminars, breakout sessions and a chance for constituents to receive one-on-one attention to questions they may have of representatives on hand from the various agencies and organizations.

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) will present a series of one-hour workshops on the Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) and the Student Tuition Assistance and Revenue Trust (START) 529 college savings plan between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. LOSFA public information representatives and mascot Earl E. START will also distribute program literature and answer questions about student financial assistance.

“In the past I’ve put together successful but single-issue conferences on such things as Veterans issues, health care and small business, and each time I’ve been amazed by both the amount of valuable information provided and the number of people eager to absorb it,” Baker said.

The “Constituent Opportunities Expo” will cover areas of interest relating to personal finance, educational resources, consumer protection, business and worker’s issues, career counseling, grant searches, healthcare and disabilities, social services, senior services, veterans affairs, housing and community development, and government procurement and property assistance.

Participants and presenters include representatives from: NASD, the IRS, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance, Parent University, National Guard Youth Challenge, Louisiana Office of the Attorney General, Office of Workers Compensation Program, the U.S. Department of Labor, Baton Rouge Career Center, East Baton Rouge (EBR) Public Library Foundation Center, Capitol City Family Health Clinic, Disability Determination Services, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, Dept. of Social Services, Support Enforcement Services, Office of Community Services, Gov.’s Office of Women’s Services, the EBR Council on Aging, Center for Medicare Services, the Social Security Administration, Senior Health Insurance Information Program, Alzheimer’s Services, Capitol Area Legal Services (Elderly Protective Services), Gov’s Office of Elderly Affairs, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Veterans hospitals, EBR Housing Authority, EBR Office of Community Development, MidCity Alliance, LAPTAC, and Federal Property Assistance.

The event is free and open to the public. Continental breakfast and light refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Congressman Baker’s office at (225) 929-7711.


- 30 -