By KAREN LAGRANGE COX
BROUSSARD, La. (Dec. 6, 2023) – Current State Representative Blake Miquez of District 49 (elected to State Senate for District 22) and State Representatives-Elect Josh Carlson of District 43 and Jacob Landry of District 49 attended a Disability Care Forum on December 6, 2023. The forum was held at The Madison Banquet and Reception Centre in Broussard, Louisiana.
The forum was held to provide a platform for individuals with disabilities and their families who receive Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), and care providers to communicate their needs and concerns to legislators. The forum aimed to shed light on the essential aspects of proper care for the well-being and safety of those with developmental disabilities and what care providers require to meet those needs effectively.
Caregiving for individuals with developmental disabilities is a critical responsibility for all involved. All involved, from individuals and their families to care providers to officials who make and implement policies affecting those with developmental disabilities, should work to find solutions to provide the necessary care and support needed by those with developmental disabilities.
The result of the forum was the legislators in attendance, parents of children/individuals with DD, and providers wanting to think outside the box to find solutions to provide the needed services.
Troy Abshire with Acadiana Area Human Services District provided the legislators a summary of services through his office. AAHSD is the single point of entry for HCBS. For more information on services, visit the AAHSD website.
Nicole Flores, Executive Director of Families Helping Families of Acadiana (FHF) advised the legislators of the purpose of FHF of Acadiana as a resource center, along with information on Act 378 of 1989. Act 378 is what brought about HCBS in Louisiana. (visit FHF of Acadiana’s website)
Kristie Curtis, Louisiana Council Advocacy Network (LaCAN) Leader for Region 4, told legislators about the role of LaCAN. LaCAN advocates for service systems that support children and adults with disabilities to live in their own homes and be fully-included and participating members of their local schools and communities. (Learn more at LaCAN’s website)
A mother of a teenage son with autism and a grandmother of a grandson with DD drove over an hour to attend the forum.
The forum was organized by Karen Cox, mother of an adult daughter with DD, and Nate Moore, owner of two care providers in Region 4.
