Webinars & Facebook Live P.8
What's going on?
JUNE 2018
TIMES
Exceptional
EXCLUSIVE From THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MAGAZINE
CONSIDERING CAREERS IN THE ARTS P.5
System Transformation = New Waivers Offered to Everyone with Emergent Needs P.4
MISSION The Mission of Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans is to educate and connect children and adults with disabilities, and their families to resources, services, and supports to attend school, work, and thrive in their communities.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Gregory Brenan, CPA, CCIFP, CGMA Jo Ann D. LoRusso, Ph.D. Denise Barrera, MPH, MSW Kevin Walker, MBA Judith Otto, LOTR, CDRS Lisa Gennusa Ledet Debra Dixon M.Ed.+30 Jedidiah Jackson Ashley Bourg
OUR TEAM Mary Jacob, Executive Director mjacob@fhfofgno.org Ext. 207 Bebe Bode, Executive Assistant bbode@fhfofgno.org Ext. 226 Raquel Castaneda, Youth Information & Training Specialist rcastaneda@fhfofgno.org Ext. 217 Nicole Desroche, Information & Training Specialist ndesroche@fhfofgno.org Ext.218 Liz Dumas, Administrative Assistant ldumas@fhfofgno.org Ext. 202 Laura S. Nata, Programs Supervisor lsnata@fhfofgno.org Ext. 209 Thuy Nguyen, CSHS Parent Liaison tnguyen@fhfofgno.org 504.896.1340 phone | 504.896.1360 fax Steven Nguyen, CSHS Youth Liaison snguyen@fhfofgno.org 504.896.1340 phone | 504.896.1360 fax Denise Sweatman, Finance Manager dsweatman@fhfofgno.org Ext. 203 Sharon Blackmon, Community Outreach Consultant sblackmon@fhfofgno.org Jessica Rodrigue, Lead Training Specialist jrodrigue@fhfofgno.org

700 Hickory Avenue Harahan, LA 70123 504.888.9111 800.766.7736 504.353.2350 fax info@fhfofgno.org fhfofgno.org
Contents
04 From the Executive Director System Transformation = New Waivers Offered to Everyone with Emergent Needs 05 Considering Careers in the Arts 06 Success Story 07 Disability and #METOO: Part 2 09 What's Going On? June 2018 11 Resources for Families 12 Elementary: Keep Summer Learning FUN! 15 E-learning Mini-Modules | 2018 Guide to Summer Fun 16 Advertise your business in our Exceptional Times Digital Magazine
Louisiana offers four developmental disability home and community-based waivers, New Opportunities Waiver (NOW), Residential Options Waiver (ROW), Supports Waiver, and Children's Choice Waiver. Unfortunately, the Request for Services Registry also referred to as the “waiting list†for these coveted slots have grown so much over the past decade that it’s become impossible to fund this list. We know that a waiver slot is still the most economical way to provide care for individuals that need this level of support, yet, our legislators still haven’t prioritized enough slots to reduce the list to a manageable number. Therefore, in 2012 the Office of Citizens for Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) created several system transformation workgroups to address this crisis. The goals of the System Transformation initiative was to serve more persons in home and community-based services (HCBS), achieve cost-effectiveness in HCBS versus institutional options, reduce institutional reliance in both private and public settings, provide access to appropriate services based upon need, and increase utilization of natural and community supports versus paid supports. In a nutshell, how do we provide home and community support for more people on the waiting list? The transformation was done in three phases. Research and Data collection, Screening of Everyone on the waiting list for waiver services, and then the Creation of a Tiered Waiver System. During Phase One, the workgroups agreed that people were literally dying while waiting for a waiver. Something drastic needed to be done to provide the most critical individuals with access to home and community support waivers. It was also recognized not everyone currently receiving NOW waivers needed all the services provided through this waiver. This doesn’t mean these individuals would lose their waivers; it just means going forward, we need to think smarter about how we provide support. Phase Two introduced the Screening for Urgency of Need (SUN) screening. The very lofty intent was to screen everyone currently on the waiting list throughout the State of Louisiana. This included face-to-face meetings to do these screenings to determine the urgency of need. Keep in mind; this DOES NOT mean the severity of the disability. This is specific to the urgency of need, right now. For example, if Michael has autism and has significant behavior concerns along with being a runner, everyone would agree that the severity of his disability is high. However, if Michael’s mom is a stay at home mom and she has a circle of natural supports (relatives, friends, etc.) that pitch in when she needs help, her urgency of need might not be very high. But, if Micheal’s mom is a single mom with no support system and is at risk of losing her job because she does not have support to help with Michael, then her urgency of need is probably much greater. Once the SUN screening is completed, the individual will get a score of the following: 4 = Emergent [needs service immediately within 90 days] 3 = Urgent [needs services within 3-12 months; temporary supports may be in place but are not sustainable beyond 12 months] 2 = Critical [need supports within 1-2 years (13-24 months)] 1 = Planning [anticipate a change in the future but need is 2-5 years (25-60 months) away] 0 = None of the Above [need is more than five years away; need cannot be met with a waiver (default choice is no unmet need is identified or anticipated in future] These scores will then help OCDD determine how many people in the state are truly in need of urgent support vs. those that would benefit from a waiver, but it was not an urgent need. Over 9,200 people were screened, and 15% of those individuals received a score of 3 or 4. OCDD has now identified who the 15% are and their exact need for support which provides them with an improved guesstimate of what this will cost for budgetary purposes. If you did not do a SUN screening, you automatically are considered not having any needs. Therefore, if you do in fact have needs, it is very important you contact your local human services authority or district and ask to have one done. Not doing one does not remove you from the list, but it does move you to the bottom of the list. Also and equally important, if you believe your score is wrong or your needs have changed, you can request for it to be redone. An example of this might be, anyone that just graduated from high school and had a low SUN score might now have more urgent needs since they are no longer in school. This would be a reason to ask for a new screening. You would want to get a score that reflects your new needs. Phase 3 was about rethinking how we provided services and the creation of a tiered waiver system. Previously our waivers were given out on a first come, first serve basis. Everyone on the list had a protected date, and waivers were issued to the people that were on the waiting list the longest. Now the waivers are going to be given out on urgency of need. Where does the waiting list date factor into this? Many people have been waiting for years, if not a decade for their date to come up. The dates are still very important. If you have a SUN score of 3 and they are funding 3’s, everyone with a 3 will be considered. They will simply start with the 3’s that have been on the waiting list the longest. Is it perfect? That would depend on who you ask? Is it fair? I would imagine someone that has been on the list for ten years and has a SUN score of 2 would think it isn’t fair that someone with a SUN score of 4, that just got on the list got a waiver before them. However, I would also ask individuals to consider that the person with a 4 has a more immediate, urgent need than the one with a SUN score of a 2. What has changed through this new tiered waiting list? There is now just one list. All lists have been merged into one using the protected dates and your SUN Score. Once an offer is made, an assessment will be done to determine the most appropriate waiver for that individual. The Children’s Choice Waiver now extends to age 21. Children previously transitioned off the Children’s Choice waiver at age 18. Individuals will now receive the waiver that most appropriately meets their needs and not automatically get the most expensive waiver. The results from this transformation, ALL individuals with disabilities that have a SUNS score of 4 and most of the individuals with SUN scores of 3 were offered waiver services over the past few months. Now, this is something worth celebrating!
From the
System Transformation = New Waivers Offered to Everyone with Emergent Needs
Mary Jacob
Executive Director
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Raise Center
Some of the artists profiled have moved from “outsider†to “insider,†with work selling for thousands of dollars, and hanging in galleries and museums. “Over time, the public moves from saying, ‘wow, this was made by a person with a disability’, to really looking at the art and seeing the contribution it makes to the contemporary art world.†PERSPECTIVE Comedy can be a powerful tool. Meet performance artist, actress and comedian Maysoon Zayid who uses the stage to help educate others, but warns her audience, “don’t you dare feel sorry for me.†Watch Maysoon's TED Talk on YouTube “Poems with Disabilities†(2007) Enjoy this poem by Jim Ferris, an award-winning poet and disability studies scholar at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has been a musician, performance artist, director, playwright, and actor. Read or listen to Jim's poem TOOLS THAT WORK Self-Employment for Artists with Disabilities This 6-page guide produced by JAN, the Job Accommodation Network, offers a framework for artists with disabilities who are considering self-employment. Careers in the arts, more so than many other vocational paths, lend themselves to independent and self-directed employment. In fact, 63% of artists are self-employed. There are many benefits to a self-employed career in the arts: Ability to incorporate accommodations Greater flexibility (e.g., workload, location, project-focused) Autonomy and self-sufficiency Option to work from home Potential for creativity and entrepreneurial spirit Investment in self Engagement in meaningful work Potential use of Social Security work incentives for increased financial stability Read the JAN Guide PDF Transition To Employment: Model Projects Fostering Careers in the Arts for Youth with Disabilities VSA, The International Organization on Arts and Disability, has published this 288-page report detailing the work of six states in their efforts to help young people with disabilities explore career options in the arts. The report describes scores of model projects, and includes information on outcomes, impacts, and partnerships. Read the report PDF
"If you can dream it, you can do it." ~ Walt Disney
Whether you are an aspiring artist or just an art lover, there is no limit to imagination and creativity. A career in the arts –visual arts, music, dance, theater, performance - can be hard, but for those with the drive and ambition, it should not be overlooked as a transition outcome. Check out this YouTube video produced by Attitude as they explore a branch of the art world called “Outsider Art,†which refers to artists with disabilities who have had no traditional training.
CONSIDERING CAREERS IN THE ARTS
Story
By Elba Izaguirre
SUCCESS
Brianna Escalante
Brianna is my three-year-old daughter who was just diagnosed with autism and she is my world. When she was about two years old, I had a feeling something was going on with her. She wasn’t meeting the milestones that other children her age should meet. I asked her pediatrician about it and we were referred to the Autism Clinic at Children’s Hospital. After getting her diagnosis, I was sat in an office and I was given a packet from the Children’s Hospital but it was all in English. I did not know what I was looking at and I could tell that they knew that. They highlighted a page within the packet they gave me with resources and pointed to Families Helping Families saying that there is a Spanish speaking staff member that could help me, or at least that’s what I understood. So the first thing I did the very next day was to call Families Helping Families but I really didn’t know why I was calling. I just knew that I had to start somewhere, and I am so glad that I did. I spoke to Raquel Castaneda who immediately gave me so much information and offered to make an appointment with me that very same day. I work until 4 pm daily and I told her I would not be able to come in, but little did I know that I called on a Tuesday which happens to be the only day that FHF stays open until 8 pm. So I was lucky enough to get seen that night. Through that meeting, I got so informed and got connected to places I had no idea existed. Raquel helped me through an ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) application, made a referral to JPHSA (Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority) and helped me understand the school system a little better. The next day I got a call from Raquel to confirm the JPHSA appointment, to confirm my ABA application had been received, and to help me get an initial evaluation for the Jefferson Parish School System for Brianna. I am so grateful for FHF and so relieved they’ll be here to help me all along the way.
Survivor Resources
RAISE Center
Part 2: Luna
Disability And #MeToo: Part 2
Where do I fit in the #MeToo wave? I often feel the voices of the disabled are lost. As a queer black femme my #MeToo came too early. My disability was used against me by abuser, my father. When I was a child, my world revolved around my dad. He was my champion, my protector from the scary dolls, the person who taught me to believe in myself and never let anyone harm me. Oh, how those words would come back to haunt me. I don’t know what changed a champion into a predator. The one who held me down or forced me to touch him in ways inexplicable. I couldn’t run away. Our house didn’t have a ramp and he’d ask “Where would you even go? You cannot get out of this house nor into safety.†The inaccessible world trapped me with my abuser. I felt ugly. Dirty. Enraged. It would happen when I would least expect it. The worst times were when I was at the height of vulnerability: I had a broken leg and was in a half body cast. That didn’t stop him. This went on for years. People knew about his other victims, but folks seemed to think my disability would protect me. Odd how ableism would allow folks to think I was untouchable. Then it happened. Molesting me was not enough for him and he chose to rape me. I was able to struggle and punch him. I called the police while in tears as he hid in the bedroom, pretending to sleep next to my mother. Officers created a wall with themselves to shield me from him as they dragged him down the stairs. I remember thinking “It’s too late to protect me.†As I grew older I began to arm myself in color. As a scientist, I know that many species who are poisonous are brightly colored. It’s a signal to stay back from predators. My uber femme and technicolor outfits tell the inner pain to stay back; like Frida, the more pain I feel, the more armor I must put on myself. You can call me lucky. The fate of my abuser is an anomaly in the #MeToo wave. He was tried and convicted. A meager sentence was what he served, but too many young queer disabled children don’t get justice. They are not believed, they continue on in silence. This wave should be the first of many in order to sustain change, and we should not forget the voices who do not get to be on the face of a magazine. We are disabled. We are #MeToo. RAINN General info on abuse with resources NPR Series on Disability and Abuse Abused and Betrayed Podcasts National Domestic Violence Hotline Information and resources The End Abuse of People with Disabilities Webinar Series Webinars and resources
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Free WEBINARS
What's Going On?
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Introduction to Special Education - Do you suspect your child could benefit from special education and related services? If you are still in the suspecting stage, or if your child is currently being evaluated, or has already been evaluated this is a great webinar for you. We will take you through the philosophy of special education, the laws, evaluation process, and ultimately an IEP. Date: Monday, June 4, 2018 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Audience: Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals of School-Aged Children/Students. Advocacy 101 - As parents or advocates of individuals with disabilities, knowing how to advocate effectively is critical. Advocacy is defined as taking action in support or opposition of a cause or issue. Advocacy can be done through education, outreach, and grassroots organizing. This training will provide you the basics on how to become an effective advocate. Date: Monday, June 4, 2018 Time: 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Audience: Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals of School-Aged Children/Students. No More Summer Slide - Summer is the perfect time for students of all ages to relax, but it’s also a time when summer learning loss can occur. This learning loss is called the “summer slide,†and happens when children do not engage in educational activities during the summer months. This training will provide you with strategies and fun activities you can do over the summertime to help prevent the summer slide. Co-Sponsor: Families Helping Families of Southwest LA Date: Wednesday, June 6, 2018 Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Audience: Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals of School-Aged Children/Students. Fun Summer Activities for ALL Kids - We’ve taken some of our favorite things in our 2018 Guide to Summer Fun for Children with Disabilities and highlighted them in this training. The goal is to give families and caregivers ideas of fun things they can do over the summer that doesn’t need to cost a lot. Many things are either free or low cost. Part of this is specific to the Greater New Orleans area. Date: Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Audience: Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals of School-Aged Children/Students. Getting and Keeping Your First Job - The goal of this training is to help families, caregivers, and professionals understand the realities of today’s work world so they can help youth with disabilities earn competitive employment. Participants will learn the importance of disability self-awareness, how families can help youth with career planning, and strategies to navigate resumes, job interviews, and job accommodations. Co-Sponsor: Families Helping Families of Southwest LA Date: Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Audience: Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals of School-Aged Children/Students. Introduction to Special Education - Do you suspect your child could benefit from special education and related services? If you are still in the suspecting stage or if your child is currently being evaluated or has already been evaluated, this is a great webinar for you. We will take you through the philosophy of special education, the laws, evaluation process, and ultimately an IEP. Co-Sponsor: Families Helping Families of Acadiana Date: Tuesday, June 19, 2018 Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Audience: Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals of School-Aged Children/Students. Financial Planning for Your Child with a Disability - The goal of this training is to learn about the basic steps families can take in planning for the unique financial challenge of caring for a family member with a disability. The benefits and potential pit falls of ABLE accounts will also be discussed. Presenter: Steven R. Fisher, ChFC, ChSNC, Special Care Planner, Mass Mutual Financial Group Date: Tuesday, June 19, 2018 Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Audience: Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals of School-Aged Children/Students. Understanding the Importance of Inclusion - Why is inclusion of children with disabilities in schools, classrooms, and communities important? This webinar answer that question. It explores what inclusion is and is not, who’s involved in making meaningful inclusion successful, and its underpinnings in federal law. Co-Sponsor: Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge Date: Thursday, June 21, 2018 Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Audience: Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals of School-Aged Children/Students. No More Summer Slide - Summer is the perfect time for students of all ages to relax, but it’s also a time when summer learning loss can occur. This learning loss is called the “summer slide,†and happens when children do not engage in educational activities during the summer months. This training will provide you with strategies and fun activities you can do over the summertime to help prevent the summer slide. Co-Sponsor: Bayou Land Families Helping Families Date: Saturday, June 23, 2018 Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Audience: Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals of School-Aged Children/Students. Basic Rights in Special Education - Whether you’re new to special education or have been involved for a while, this workshop is for you. This presentation provides families with an introduction to their rights and responsibilities as parents of children with special needs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Parents begin to identify dreams and goals for their children, understand laws and learn advocacy strategies that will help them help their children reach those goals. Co-Sponsor: Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge Date: Monday, June 25, 2018 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Audience: Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals of School-Aged Children/Students. To register for any of our free webinars, please click on the title of the event.
How to Talk to Teens About Dealing with Online Creeps Parents can use this script to kick off a conversation with their children about dealing with online creeps. Latest Disciplinary Data: Restraint and Seclusion New data on nearly every public school in the nation shows that students with disabilities continue to be disciplined and experience restraint and seclusion at far higher rates than others. Interpreting for Deaf Students: Facts and Fantasies Parents, school districts, teachers, audiologists, and speech-language pathologists involved in education of deaf children are often ill advised regarding the effectiveness of interpreters in public school mainstreamed classes. Good information to know and share. U.S. Department of Education - Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) websites For parents of infants, toddlers, children, & youth with disabilities.
Resources for Families
Elementary: Keep Summer Learning Fun!
The Solar System Song for Kids
From KidsTV123, learn the planets of the solar system with this fun easy to learn song!
Tour the 50 States (Official Music Video)
Tour the States is track #1 from Brain Beats - the mnemonic CD that features 14 brilliantly catchy songs to help you remember things you've always wanted to learn, but couldn't.
MAKING YOUR POINT
Are You Ready for a Career in the Arts? Recognize your skills and abilities – Take an honest look at what you love to do and what you are good at. Are you willing to put in the work? Research careers in the arts – Just because you like to draw does not mean your work will hang in museums and galleries. Artists can be illustrators for books and magazines, digital artists, medical or science illustrators, cartoonists, sketch artists for law enforcement or the courts, and more. Get more training/schooling – Whether you are an actress, a painter, a musician or a dancer, it can be very helpful to go to a specialized training program to hone your skills. You will also get more experience and meet other creative people interested in the arts. Network – Careers are built on networks. Your network consists of your classmates, teachers, family, friends, and mentors. These are people that support you and want you to succeed. Ask them if they know of any opportunities for you. Learn from working artists - Meet people who are doing what you want to be doing. Meet them from a recommendation of a friend, at a social or networking event (openings, conferences etc.), and parties. Don’t hesitate to ask them about their experiences as an artist and how they got there. Look for an internship – Volunteer or paid internships in a theater, gallery, museum, or non-profit institution can help you understand the business side of the arts. Students may want to consider working as a studio assistant for an artist to gain valuable experience and build a network. Structure your time – Make sure that you continue to develop as an artist by practicing your craft, and studying other artists you admire. Go to plays, shows, dance performances, art openings and galleries to see what is happening in your field. RESOURCES The National Rosemary Kennedy Initiatives The National Rosemary Kennedy Initiatives are competitive, nationwide contracts for arts organizations to provide transition to work and career development opportunities in creative careers, the arts, arts education, or arts management for youth with disabilities between the ages of 15-22. These programs include transition opportunities such as internships, apprenticeships, and pre-professional trainings that are designed to enhance the individual’s potential for arts-based employment or creative careers. Disability and Theatre: A Practical Manual for Inclusion in the Arts This book is a step-by-step manual on how to create inclusive theatre, including how and where to find actors, how to publicize productions, run rehearsals, act in intricate scenes like fights and battles, work with unions, contracts, and agents, and deal with technical issues. This practical information is applicable to any performance level: children’s theatre, community theatre, regional theatre, touring companies, Broadway, and academic theatre. The book features anecdotal case studies that emphasize problem-solving, real-world application, and realistic action plans. A companion website provides additional guidelines and hands-on worksheets. Arts Councils Did you know that nearly every state has an Arts Council with an accessibility coordinator? Find yours. VSA, The International Organization on Arts and Disability ReelAbilites Film Festival The Kennedy Center’s Resources for Educators and Parents The Kennedy Center’s Resources for Educators and Parents puts it all in one place, and provides lesson plans and cross-curricular instructional ideas to bring the arts into special education. A CLOSER LOOK National Dialogue on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities National Summit on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities UPCOMING EVENTS June 25, 2018 RAISE Summit 2018 Lake Buena Vista, FL This event is offered at no charge. To register, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fourth-annual- raise-summit-2018-tickets-42764751523 June 26-28, 2018 APSE Conference Lake Buena Vista, FL. To register, go to: http://apse.org/2018-national-conference/ July 16-21, 2018 Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) 2018 Conference Albuquerque, NM. To register, go to: http://ahead.org/
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Joel graduated from L.W Higgins High School in Marrero on Saturday, May, 19, 2018. To try and teach Joel some valuable skills his sisters have started to teach Joel how to make soaps, candles, greeting cards, and more that they then sell at local craft fairs and flea markets. You can keep up with Joel on Instagram and Facebook @downwithjoel. You can also read their blog at www.downwithjoel.com
e-Learning Mini Modules are formatted for all devices so even if you are at a ball game, dance practice or waiting for your dinner to arrive in a restaurant, you can log onto our website and watch one of our e-Learning Mini Modules in approximately 10 minutes. That's right - you only need about 10 minutes! The following e-Learning Mini Modules are currently available: What do you do when the school calls to pick up your child? What transportation services are available to my child with a disability? How can I prepare for my child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting? Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Basics What is Least Restricted Environment (LRE)? We hope these are useful to you and happy to be able to add additional ways for families to learn relevant information they need in to get their child the most appropriate education they deserve. CLICK HERE to go to our website and learn more about the e-Learning Modules!
The 2018 Guide to Summer Fun for Families Louisiana is a wonderful place to live. All year long, there are so many attractions, festivals, parades, arts, museums, and events going on around our beautiful state. There’s never a dull moment! Inside this guide you will find special needs summer camps and many ideas for things to do and places to visit with your family throughout the summer. From museums, nature centers, and theaters… to activities at home. You will find endless possibilities for enjoyment, learning, and relaxation. This Guide is meant to be an Internet resource. Please review these offerings to determine if they suit the needs of your family. Before you personally visit any of the resources listed, please call or check the website listed for the most current information.
Congratulations Joel!
Cover: Raquel & Joel Castaneda
The Louisiana Parent Training and Information Center (LaPTIC) is a program of Families Helping Families of GNO and a grant from the US Department of Education; Office of Special Education (OSEP) as Louisiana's official and only statewide federally funded Parent Training and Information Center.
Any information provided by Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans (FHF) and/or Louisiana Parent Training and Information Center (LaPTIC), its staff, and/or its volunteers is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Any information expressed or implied is not intended nor should be construed as legal, medical, or other professional advice. FHF and/or LaPTIC does not render legal, medical, or professional advice or recommendations; nor is legal, medical, or other professional advice implied by any information given. Any information provided should not replace consultations with qualified legal, educational, healthcare, or other professionals to meet individual or professional needs. Reference to any program, service, therapy, or treatment option does not imply endorsement by FHF and/or LaPTIC or by its organizational staff/members and should not be construed as such.
The Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) has four developmental disability home and community-based waivers, New Opportunities Waiver (NOW), Residential Options Waiver (ROW), Supports Waiver, and Children's Choice Waiver have now been operationalized to a tiered waiver system of service delivery, which will allow for individuals to be supported in the most appropriate waiver. To learn more, click here.
700 Hickory Avenue Harahan, LA 70123 504-888-9111 800-766-7736 504.353-2350 fax info@fhfofgno.org fhfofgno.org