Christopher Landre had been a troubled kid. His self-destructive choices prompted his parents to enroll him in a residential treatment facility. Christopher was making learning some new tools for a better life when his parents were financially forced to take him out of the treatment center. Although Christopher applied those tools for a few months, he soon lapsed back into his old negative patterns, which led to drugs and eventually suicide.Christopher’s parents believed their son did not have enough time to adopt the new tools he learned and adapt them to a life outside of the treatment facility. Perhaps if he had more time in the treatment center, things might have been different. In honor of their son and the many families who face the financial burdens imposed by mental health issues, the Landres created the C.S. Landre Foundation.The foundation’s mission is to create positive changes in the lives of teenagers through programs that “create awareness, prevention, treatment, education and support opportunities.” For seven years, the foundation has been raising funds and donating those dollars – about 94 cents of each dollar – to families who need financial support and assistance. More than million has been donated since the foundation’s beginning. As a 501c (3) based in Fresno, Calif., all donations are tax deductible, and many corporations and individuals have contributed for the sake of saving teenagers from a fate like that of Christopher Landre.And a Falcon family has turned to the Landre Foundation because of a similar situation they face with their daughter. Alisha (Ali) Jacobs is 14 years old and suffers from severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. After Ali did not respond to outpatient treatment, Steve and Rhonda Jacobs took Ali to Cedar Springs Hospital in Colorado Springs in August. Ali did not respond to their treatment and threatened to run away or kill herself, Rhonda Jacobs said. It didn’t matter to her if she was raped or killed because she believed that she was living in an empty body, Rhonda Jacobs said.Ali attempted to run away from Cedar Springs late one night, and, by midnight, the Jacobs had flights and escorts lined up to take her to a Utah-based treatment program the following day. Ali did run from Cedar Springs that next day, but a nurse ran after her and refused to stop until she caught her. Ali was transported to Utah that same afternoon.Even though Ali’s therapists and psychiatrists recommended the long-term Utah program, their insurance company refused to pay because the treatment facility was not in the insurance provider network. The insurance company recommended another facility in Utah, even though that facility was three times the cost of the Jacobs’ preferred treatment center. However, the Jacobs decided to adhere to their insurance company’s recommendation and send Ali to the higher cost facility. The Jacobs then found out that one stipulation of the insurance in-network treatment center was that they travel to Utah every two weeks for family therapy – at the Jacobs expense.After a long battle with the insurance company, the Jacobs are now paying out-of-pocket at their original treatment facility choice in Utah. They simply could not incur the costs of traveling from Colorado to Utah every two weeks. The Landres also have another child.The Landres have borrowed $27,000 against their home equity, but they need to raise $30,000 more for Ali’s care and treatment. The Jacobs have turned to the C.S. Landre Foundation for help. And the Landre Foundation has encouraged the Jacobs to enlist help from their community.According to statistics provided by the Landre Foundation, one child attempts suicide every minute; more than 24 percent of children ages 12 to 17 are victims of violent crime; and 36 percent of children are classified as heavy drinkers by the time they are in the 12th grade. The Landre Foundation wants to intercept and help change those startling statistics.The messenger was Hillary Clinton, and, regardless of one’s political alignments, she was right when she said a few years ago, in reference to society’s ills, including the plight of our children, “it takes a village.”If anyone is interested in helping Steve, Rhonda and Ali Jacobs, please make your tax-deductible contribution to the C.S. Landre Foundation in care of Alisha Jacobs. Contact the Jacobs at 599-8567 for more information. Or contact the Landre Foundation directly at 559-448-8840; www.cslandre.org.
