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COMMUNITY SUPPORT

DSAA provides families with a support network, sharing experiences from the birth of a child through the stages of education and adult-living within the community.  

Insurance & Medicaid:

Chances are you may already have medical insurance or plans to pay for your baby’s hospital bill out of your own pocket.  Even if you have a great insurance and a good paying job, you will want to explore applying for Medicaid and various waiver supports and services.  Medicaid will pay for a variety of items and services that may not be included in your insurance plan.

  • Department of Health and Hospitals
    P.O. Box 629
    Phone: (888) 544-7996
    www.dhh.la.gov

Women, Infants & Children’s Nutrition Program (WIC):

If you qualify for Medicaid, you will also qualify for the WIC program no matter what your income.  This program is designed to provide a monthly package of nutritious foods including infant formula, juice, eggs, cheese, cereal, and peanut butter through the age of five.

  • Louisiana Office of Public Health
    2150 Westbank Expressway, Room 703
    Harvey, LA 70058
    Phone: (504) 361-6973
    www.dhh.louisiana.gov

MR/DD Medicaid Waiver:

If you qualify for Medicaid, you are eligible to apply for several home and community based waiver programs including New Opportunities Waiver (NOW) and Children’s Choice Waiver (CC).  Each waiver has specific services packages and eligibility requirements.

  • Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD)
    628 North Fourth Street
    Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3117
    Phone: (225) 342-0095 or (866) 783-5553
    Email: ocddinfo@dhh.la.gov

Families Helping Families:

Families Helping Families of Louisiana is a group of families who, through our own experiences, are committed to reaching out to other families who have members with special needs and self-advocates.  The term “special needs” includes physical, mental, emotional, behavior, and/or academic issues.

  • 100 Brennan Road
    Lafayette, LA 70506
    Phone: (337) 984-3458 or (855) 984-3458
    www.fhfacadiana.org

The Arc of Louisiana:

The Arc of Louisiana advocates for and with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families that they shall live to their fullest potential.

  • 606 Colonial Drive
    Suite G
    Baton Rouge, LA 70806
    Phone: (225) 383-1033 or (866) 966-6260
    www.thearcla.org

Early Steps:

Early Steps is managed by the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) for qualified disabled children from birth to three years of age.  These services are designed to improve the family’s capacity to enhance their child’s development.  They provide free evaluation and therapies as needed in the child’s natural environment.

  • 628 North Fourth Street
    Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3117
    Phone: (225) 342-0095 or (866) 783-5553
    Email: ocddinfo@dhh.la.gov

Special Olympics of Louisiana:

Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities.

Louisiana Citizens for Action Now:

LaCAN provides information and support to individuals wishing to effectively advocate for the expansion and improvement of community and family support services for people with disabilities and their families through email updates, regional workshops, regional team leaders, and personal contact.

The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council:

The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council is made up of people from every region of the state who are appointed by the governor to develop and implement a five year plan to address the needs of persons with developmental disabilities.

  • 626 Main Street, Suite A.
    Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3455
    Phone: (225) 342-6804 or (800) 450-8108
    www.laddc.org

The Advocacy Center:

The Advocacy Center is Louisiana’s protection and advocacy system.  Federal Law requires that a protection and advocacy system operate in every state to protect the rights of persons with mental or physical disabilities.

Vocational Rehabilitation:

Vocational Rehabilitation, the flagship program of Lousisana Rehabilitation Services, is a one-stop career development program that offers individuals with disabilities a wide range of services designed to provide them with the skills, resources, attitudes, and expectation needed to compete in the interview process, get the job, keep the job, and develop a lifetime career.

  • Lafayette Region IV
    825 Kaliste Saloom Road
    Brandywine VI, Suite 350
    Lafayette, LA 70508-4285
    Phone: (337) 262-5353 or (800) 520-0587
    www.laworks.net

La Disability Talk:

An e-mail talk list from Project PROMPT/Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans to help families of people with disabilities and their advocates in Louisiana share information, resources and support. 

D.R.E.A.M.S. Foundation of Acadiana:

D.R.E.A.M.S. Foundation of Acadiana is dedicated to promoting support and activities to children and adults with special needs in the Acadiana area.

LARC:

Supports persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in reaching their goals of self-sufficiency, quality of life and self-worth.  They provide community support & services, residential services and vocational services.

  • Lafayette sign
    Lafayette sign
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  • Madison and dad