Gov. Edwards announced in October that he reappointed Kathryn A. Steele, Ph.D., of
Metairie, to the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners. Steele is a
licensed professional counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, and professor of counseling at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Steele was nominated by the
Louisiana Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and will serve as a licensed
marriage and family therapist on the board.
The Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners is responsible for the regulation of Provisional Licensed Professional Counselors or PLPCs (formerly Counselor
Interns), Provisional Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists or PLMFTs (formerly MFT Interns), Licensed Professional Counselors or LPCs, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists or LMFTs.
The Governor also reappointed Paul M. Schoen, of Covington, to the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority. Schoen is a licensed addiction counselor and certified compulsive gambling counselor in private practice. Additionally, he is a veteran of the United States Navy
Reserve. He was nominated by the Louisiana Association of Substance Abuse Counselors and Trainers, Inc., and will serve as a member with significant experience and knowledge in the area of compulsive gambling.
Gov. Edwards also appointed Kerri L. Cunningham, of Lafayette, to the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority. Cunningham is a licensed clinical social worker, licensed addiction counselor, and the Clinical Director of Victory Addiction Recovery Center.
As required by statute, she was nominated by the Louisiana Association of Substance Abuse Counselors and Trainers, Inc.
The Addictive Disorders Regulatory Authority licenses and regulates addictive disorder counselors and prevention professionals in the State of Louisiana.
Also in October Gov. Edwards appointed Antoinette Q. Bankston, of Baton Rouge, to the Human Trafficking Prevention Commission Advisory Board. Bankston is a licensed clinical social worker and the Executive Director of the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center. As required by statute, she was nominated by the Louisiana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
The Human Trafficking Prevention Commission Advisory Board provides information and
recommendations from the perspective of advocacy groups, service providers, and trafficking victims to the Human Trafficking Prevention Commission.
Bambi D. Polotzola, of Opelousas, was reappointed to the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council. Polotzola is the Director of the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs and will serve as its representative on the council.
The Louisiana Developmental Disability Council’s mission is to lead and promote advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change to improve the quality of life for individuals with
developmental disabilities and their families.