The definition of quality of life is as diverse as there are people. Quality of life can be vaguely defined as personal satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) with the conditions under which you live. Some individuals place high importance on good health, education or financial stability, while others may emphasize happiness and meaning as indicators of a high (or low) quality of life.

The Picard Center studies various quality of life factors, including health care, poverty, family life, community offerings, education and workforce. We also serve as consultants to many organizations working to increase the quality of life for Louisiana’s citizens through effective interventions and programs.

With approximately 24% of Louisiana children living in poverty (compared to the national rate of 20%), the Picard Center has devoted a department focused solely on studying the causes and effects of poverty, as well as researching and developing effective interventions to reduce the risk factors related to poverty. The Picard Center, in union with our longitudinal study, is also connecting the dots between research on poverty and education, juvenile justice, foster care and special education placement. Read more about what our Poverty and Families experts are doing about generational poverty in Louisiana under the Poverty and Families link.

Plus, check out the latest reports from the Caring Communities Youth Survey. This survey is conducted every two years to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12, and it reveals the likelihood of academic success, school dropout, substance abuse, violence and delinquency among youth in Louisiana.

See Also:

     Poverty and Family Studies

     Caring Communities Youth Survey (CCYS)