March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Every March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and its partners collaborate to lead Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM). The annual campaign highlights how people with and without disabilities come together to form strong communities. DDAM raises awareness of the inclusion and contributions of people with developmental disabilities (DD) in all aspects of community life and serves as a time to explore the work still needed to remove barriers.

Bunny Craft Near You

Registration Links

Dr. Beth McLean of the National Center for Improving Literacy will explain evidence-based strategies, tips, and activities you can use to support your child’s literacy development from an early age.

Why is the inclusion of children with disabilities in schools, classrooms, and communities important? This webinar explores what inclusion is and what it is not and who is involved in making meaningful inclusion successful.

Community Events & Trainings

Autism Acceptance Webinar Series for Parents

by the Michael Boh Center

Virtual and free 10-part webinar series.

Professionals will share their knowledge and evidence-based strategies to further support children and encourage positive behavior function.

All webinars will occur during lunch from noon – to 12:45 PM Central Standard Time (CST)

March 26: Toilet Training - Addie Andrus, BCBA

*Webinar ID: 949 7260 4567

April 9: Autism Language Development: Gestalt Language Processing - Jessica Creed, CCC-SLP

*Webinar ID: 925 7657 0403

April 18: Feeding Tips and Tricks - Anne Elise Nicoladis, SLP, and Margaret Powell, PhD

*Webinar ID: 975 8911 4839

April 22: Behavioral Supports for Sleep - Sally Guidry, BCBA

*Webinar ID: 996 8391 0142

April 25: Communication Strategies: Augmentative and Alternative Communication - Christie Jewell, CCC-SLP

*Webinar ID: 946 7898 3000

April 30: Autism Medical Perspectives - Bob Voigt, MD

*Webinar ID: 976 1713 0785

May 8: Behavior Management 101 - Emily Mathis, PhD BCBA-D

*Webinar ID: 957 9991 7885

May 14: Talking Dating and Sexuality: A Real-Life Love on the Spectrum - Claire Burns, PhD, and Caroline Turner, LCSW

*Webinar ID: 940 9674 9451

May 20: ABA Q&A with Boh Center ABA team

*Webinar ID: 926 9827 5599

May 21: Vocational Social Skills for Teens - Nicole Lasserre, PhD, BCBA-D

*Webinar ID: 933 6609 2063

3rd Annual

Magnolia Rose

Color Run

Date: April 6th

Time: 8:00am - 12:00pm

Venue: Baker City Park

3325 Groom Rd., Baker, LA 70714

The Louisiana Mental Health Conference is a boutique conference experience focused on providing educational training with through provoking topics presented by industry leaders. Attendees will have the privilege of hearing from premier clinicians who have elevated the field with their expertise and influence.

The Louisiana Mental Health Conference will offer 15 Continuing Educational Units by the National Association of Social Workers-Louisiana Chapter as authorized by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners and the Louisiana Counseling Association as authorized by the Louisiana Professional Counselor Licensing Board of Examiners.

April 22nd - 23rd, 2024 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Parent Support Group



Meeting ID 829 18225146

Passcode: MagRose

Apply to Join GACDA and SILC

The Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs (GACDA)  and the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) are accepting applications for membership. SILC positions are to be filled by people with disabilities.

Those interested in serving should apply for a position with GACDA and SLIC here. Once the application is submitted, email disability.affairs@la.gov to verify if your application was received.

Class Action Suit to Improve the Mental Health Services to Children and Youth Under Age 21 who are on Medicaid

If you or a child in your care is a Medicaid recipient under the age of 21 who has been unable to get Medicaid home or community-based mental health or behavioral services, please contact the Southern Poverty Law Center at 1-800-358-2337.

The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is seeking applications for membership on the Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP), which advises and assists the LDOE with the provision of free and appropriate public education for individuals with disabilities across the state. It exists by authority of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) policy to provide guidance on special education programs and services.

Members of SEAP represent public and private sectors that by virtue of their position, interest, or training can contribute information regarding the education of students with disabilities. Fifty-one percent of the members must be parents of a child with a disability (ages birth through 26) or individuals with disabilities. SEAP will meet as a group approximately four to five times a year in Baton Rouge.

Current SEAP vacancies include:

·   Parent of a child with a disability (ages birth through 26),

·   Individual with a disability,

·   Teacher,

·   Representative of an institution of higher education that prepares special education and related services personnel,

·   Administrator of a program for children with disabilities,

·   Representative of a private school, and

·   Representative of the State juvenile or adult corrections agency.

Prospective members should consider their ability to fulfill the time commitment necessary to attend all meetings. Failure to attend two panel meetings in a year may result in review by the state educational agency for possible recommendation for termination.

Only emailed PDF applications will be accepted. Anyone interested in serving on the panel should send their completed application to specialeducation@la.gov by April 8, 2024.

The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council has contracted with Niagara University (NU) to educate anyone involved in emergency planning, preparedness, response, and recovery as it pertains to individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs. 

NU has tailored a presentation and training that identifies the responsibilities of both emergency management personnel and disability advocates during an emergency. This program will introduce the four modules necessary for proper response:

·   Disability Awareness Training

·   The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) specific to Emergency Management

·   Emergency Plan Content

·   Inclusive Planning and Active Participation

Two training opportunities are coming to Alexandria and Baton Rouge. The trainings will be held in-person and are free to attend. Participants have the option to attend the full two day training or a half day training. Not sure which option is best for you?

Click on the training title(s) below for more information and to register for this training opportunity.

The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council adopted its 2024 Legislative Advocacy Agenda with input from its grassroots advocacy network LaCAN (Louisiana Council’s Advocacy Network), Families Helping Families (FHF) Centers and various stakeholders throughout the disability community. Thank you to all who shared their ideas and agenda recommendations with the Council.

2024 Legislative Agenda

The Council will advocate for additional funding for the nine FHF Regional Resource Centers it contracts with. During the last three legislative sessions, an additional $500,000 was added to the Council’s budget specifically for FHF Centers. The Council’s request to include this additional funding in its Fiscal Year 2025 budget was denied leaving these Center’s in an unfortunate situation.

·   Recurring Funding for Families Helping Families Regional Resource Centers

The Council will also advocate for the funding needed to eliminate the Flexible Family Fund (FFF) program wait list. This program is administered through the local human services districts/authorities and provides families of children with the most severe intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and/or behavioral health needs resources to help cover the excessive costs associated with their care. Approximately $9.4 million in State General Fund is needed to serve all 2,258 individuals on the FFF wait list.

·   Eliminate the Flexible Family Fund Wait List

Finally, the Council will partner with the Arc of Louisiana to advocate for the funding needed to increase the rate for night services to match the current day rate within home- and community-based waivers for individuals with I/DD and the aging and adult populations. Currently, the night rate is $5 less than the day rate ($13.52 vs $18.52). Approximately $10.1 million in State General Fund is needed to balance this disparity.

·   Increase the Waiver Rate for Night Services

All factsheets, as updated, will be posted on the Council’s website.