Information That Makes a Difference in Your Life in Baton Rouge!
City, Parish and State Services & Agencies
Bus Service - Capitol Area Transit Systems (CATS) transit is the easy way around Baton Rouge and riding the bus to and from where you work, live, and shop is convenient, economical, and fun! The information line is 389-8282. Fares for routes: Adults: $1.25, Children under 5: Free and Senior citizens (62+), people with disabilities who show a CTC ID card, anyone showing a Medicare card, and students up through high school with ID: $0.35. (Route 44, FLORIDA, passes closest to our communities)
Fire Department - Report fires or emergencies to '911' and be ready to give a specific address! In addition to 'fighting fires', the department is the 'right' place to report (354-1431) possible fire code violations, parking in fire lanes or facility overcrowding.
Income Tax - Federal Income Tax is on April 15th and Louisiana Personal Income Taxis due on May 15th. Forms and instructions can be downloaded from their websites or picked up at a local post office or library.
Library Services - Library cards are free! Did you know you can that besides books you can check out magazines, cameras, audio cassettes, CDs & even paintings. (Main Library: 231-3740)
Office of Motor Vehicles serves the people of Louisiana by administering motor vehicle registration and driver licensing laws in a professional, compassionate and responsive manner. The Baton Rouge office is located at 7701 Independence Blvd. (Weekdays 8 am - 4 pm). Contact them by phone 877-368-5463.
Office of Social Services - (OSS) is the designated Community Action Agency for East Baton Rouge Parish. OSS's primary function is to minimize conditions associated with poverty. The office endeavors to accomplish this mission through the provision of direct services, referrals, counseling and consumer education. Services are provided primarily on an income eligible basis. Services Offered include: Home Energy Assistance, Emergency Utilities Payments, Rent/Mortgage Payments, Food Vouchers, Medication Payments, and Emergency Food Pantry. B-G&G Investors (our) apartment communities are serviced by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center (4000 Gus Young Ave). You can contact the center by telephone at 389-7804 between 8 am and 5 pm.
Police Department - The police department offers an array of information and services from how to prevent crime to how to create neighborhood watches to what to do if you lost that ‘speeding ticket'. Always use 911 in case of an emergency, but for information or routine complaints contact 389-3800.
Recreation Centers & Programs - Baton Rouge recreation centers offer a variety of sports, entertainment and classes ranging from aerobics to weightlifting. Highly qualified instructors teach classes at convenient hours at centers located all areas of East Baton Rouge.
Sheriff's Department - The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office is very proud to serve the Melrose East community. Led by Sheriff Elmer B. Litchfield, this Office is responsible for enforcing the laws of Louisiana within East Baton Rouge Parish, as well as maintaining the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. You can contact the Sheriff's Department by telephone at 389-5000 or visit at 300 North Boulevard.
Voter's Registration - There is no charge for registering to vote, but the cost of not voting is tremendous! You can contact the Registrar of Voters in person at 222 St. Louis St. Room 201 or by phone at 389-3940. The documents you need to register to vote are current photo identification and proof of current address (example, utility bill with an address). Louisiana Mail Voter Registration Applications & Instructions are available at both of our management offices (763 Monet Dr. #A103 or 1100 North Ardenwood) or can be downloaded by 'CLICKING' HERE'
Elected Officials
EDUCATION: Public Schools, Local Programs, GEDs, Colleges & Universities
East Baton Rouge Parish Schools - Your guide to the public schools in our area: the school calendars, uniform requirements, lunch menus and much more. The Central Administration office is located at 1050 Foster Drive (922-5400)
Head Start - The free program provides high-quality, comprehensive programs relating to health, disabilities, education, and family services to eligible low-income families and their children. Contact the main office 8 am-5 pm weekdays at 358-4504 or 4523 Plank Rd.
GED - A high school equivalency diploma is available through the GED program. Every year nearly 800,000 adults take the Tests of General Education Development (GED), opening the doors to higher education, better job opportunities, and increased standards of living. GED classes are offered free of cost through the EBRPSS at following locations: McAuliffe Learning Center, 12000 Goodwood Blvd (226-7631) or Rosenwald Learning Center, 2611 Dayton St (355-8678)
Baton Rouge Community College - BRCC is a comprehensive community college offering associate degrees and certificate programs to meet the needs of students. Articulation and cross enrollment agreements exist with LSU, Southern and SE Louisiana Univ. to provide for the transfer of our students into the four-year degree programs of the foregoing institutions.
Louisiana State University - As the flagship institution of the state, the vision of LSU is to be a leading research-extensive university, challenging undergraduate and graduate students to achieve the highest levels of intellectual and personal development. Southern University - Southern is a leader in unique academic programs, innovative research and community service -- offering programs of study ranging from associate degrees to doctoral and professional degrees.
EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES:
LA Works - Louisiana Department of Labor’s website linking employers, job seekers, and training entities to provide the skills training, employment services, and re-employment resources necessary to increase employment in Louisiana. Baton Rouge Community Job center is located at 4523 Plank Rd (925-4311)
The Advocate's Employment classified advertisements. The website (like the newspaper) is updated daily and has many of the same advertisements published in The Advocate.
Louisiana Technology Park is a private-public alliance formed to create the most active and innovative atmosphere for e-business, high-technology and biotechnology between Houston and Atlanta. LTP is located at 7117 Florida Blvd (old Bon Carre mall). The website posts employment and internship opportunities both at Louisiana Technology Park and in Tech Park Member Companies with specific contact information for each job description.
Louisiana State University Job opportunities at LSU are listed by title and department. The listings include both professional (professor) and non-professional (clerk, custodian) positions.
Med Job Louisiana.com is a non-profit recruitment and retention program designed to assist rural and underserved communities located in Louisiana Health Professional Shortage Areas attract qualified employees to improve citizens’ access to primary care services. Jobs on the website include housekeeping workers, EMT, security guards and food service workers.
