Our mission is to enable and empower Louisiana families of individuals with disabilities through an effective coordinated network of Resources, Support, and Services.  Our vision is to ensure all individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to attend school, live, work and recreate in their community with typical peers.

Programs

Family Resource Center

Visit our Resource Center and browse our Lending Library. We offer hundreds of books, tapes, and CD’s on a variety of topics that are disability related. We also have numerous brochures and pamphlets. Make an appointment to receive assistance surfing the web for disability information. If you need information or referral for something specific, you can make your request via telephone or Email. A list of all of the items in our Lending Library, copies of past editions of our newsletter, and great articles can be accessed on our website.

Louisiana Parent Training and Information Center

Louisiana Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide advocacy and training for families of students who receive special education and related services. Our Education Advocates are located around the state to provide peer support to parents. LaPTIC provides peer support to other parents with children with disabilities, trainings on topics like IEP planning, Basic IDEA rights, Positive Behavior Supports, and
Transition Planning. Families can also request case consultations to discuss specific concerns or help plan for your next IEP meeting or hearing. LaPTIC also publishes a quarterly statewide newsletter called Exceptional Times, which contains current education issues. LaDisability Talk is a list serve for individuals to share information and resources on disability issues. LaDisability Talk has over 800 members from around the state who use this list serve to voice concerns, issues, or just to congratulate each other for something special.

Point of Information and Referral

State contract for regional information and referral services, coordinated referral process and increased knowledge of service delivery system.

LaCAN! - Louisiana Citizens for Action NOW!

A volunteer network of advocates supports Act 378 (Home and Community-Based Services) and related issues. LaCAN outreaches and keeps individuals informed of legislative issues that affect
individuals with disabilities. You can be added to their list serve or get your information through U.S. mail. A waiting list is not a service. If you’re on the waiver waiting list, you must get involved with LaCAN.

State Department of Education

The Louisiana Department of Education understands the importance of parental involvement in the education process of students with disabilities. They provide funding for a transition specialist, who
participates in transition planning for students with special needs. In addition, we also have Education Advocates who assist parents with educational issues. Once a year we offer an educational conference on important education topics. In addition, we collaborate with post secondary schools to train future teachers on topics/issues parents would want them to know before beginning their teaching career.

Family Empowerment Forum

A one-day training/resource forum is provided in Jefferson Parish. The forum is held once a year and offers families and professionals a chance to hear some great presenters, network with other families and professionals, and learn about new resources.

Children’s Special Health Services’ (CSHS) Parent Liaisons

Are you a family that utilizes Children’s Special Health Services’ clinics held at Children’s Hospital? If so, we have Parent Liaisons on staff that can provide information and support. The next time
you’re there, ask about new resources or anything else that might be on your mind.

Conference Stipends

Funding is available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to attend regional, state, and national conferences relative to disability issues. If you would like to attend a training event and need financial assistance, call our office.

 

Rev. 10/18/2009