Family Caregiving Strategy Available!!!

Are you a family member of somebody with a disability or somebody who wants to age in place? The Administration on Community Living (ACL) has released the 2022 National Strategy to Support Caregivers. The strategy provides a roadmap for a variety of entities, including individuals, to recognize, include, and support family caregivers more effectively.

Remembering Disability Advocate Lois Curtis, the “L.C.” in the Olmstead Decision

HDC joins the disability community across the United States in mourning the loss of Lois Curtis. Lois Curtis is remembered as the “L.C.” in Olmstead v. L.C., the Supreme Court decision that protects the right of people with disabilities to live in their own homes and receive services in their own communities. Read the Administration for Community Living’s statement on the passing of Lois Curtis here.

Create a STAR Plan with PAY Check

STAR Plans help our PAY Check participants set goals for themselves in adulthood and realize the steps needed for success. Follow along with Transition Specialist Michael Curry to create a STAR Plan for yourself!

LADBP launches DeafBlind Intervener Training pilot

The Louisiana DeafBlind Project for Children and Youth (LADBP) launch a Deaf-Blind Intervener Training Pilot, aiming to encourage school districts and educators across the state to invest in skilled interveners. LADBP’s Rose Angelocci, Ph.D. and Nicky Gillies, MSNIC are currently working with a paraprofessional in St. Bernard Parish to trial this new training program.

New school year update with HDC’s Early Childhood Initiatives

The Early Childhood (EC) initiatives at the Human Development Center are hard at work bringing quality, inclusive education to early learning centers in New Orleans. Here’s a quick update from the three EC projects:

HDC Spotlight: Germaine Collins, BA

Germaine Collins is a teacher in the Human Development Center’s Early Learning Center (ELC). Located on the first floor of the Human Development Center (HDC) building, the ELC provides high-quality, inclusive early care and education for infants and toddlers. Our teachers are highly qualified professionals who are trained to implement a developmentally appropriate, evidence-based curriculum for infants and toddlers, including those with disabilities and special health care needs.

Medicare or Medicaid Coverage and the Path to Employment

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

3–4:30 PM ET (2–3:30 PM CT)

Join us on October 26 for our next Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) webinar!

This month, we’ll address myths about receiving Medicare and Medicaid while working. In addition, we’ll also highlight Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program resources that can help Ticketholders as they make the decision to work, search for jobs and transition to the workplace.

Specifically, the webinar will cover:

• How employment and earnings affect Medicare or Medicaid.
• Work Incentives related to Medicare and Medicaid.
• Benefits counseling and Ticket Program services and supports.

Celebrate NDEAM with HDC’s PAY Check program

Do you have plans to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) this October? HDC’s PAY Check program can help you celebrate this national event! We are keen to partner with local organizations and businesses to show your network that workers with disabilities can be loyal and dedicated assets to any team.

‼️‼️URGENT ALERT for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and their Families on the OCDD Request for Services Registry‼️‼️

Louisiana’s OCDD is in the process of validating their Request for Services Registry.  This means that all individuals on the Request for Services Registry will be receiving a communication to see if they wish to remain on the registry and to validate their contact information.  IF YOU RECEIVE THIS LETTER,  IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO RESPOND! If you do not respond, you or your loved one could be removed from the DD Waiver services registry.

This letter is being sent to individuals with DD and their families who have applied for OCDD Waiver services but have not yet received them so that the Louisiana Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities has your current/correct contact information. It is CRITICALLY IMPORTANT that you respond to this letter so that you or your loved one can remain on the DD Request for Services Registry. If you do not respond, you or your loved one could be removed from the registry and will have to start the application process all over again should you or your loved one need services.

Read Letter

disABILITY Inclusion Job Fair October 12

Come meet dozens of employers ready to hire at the virtual disABILITY Inclusion Job Fair on Wednesday, October 12th 9 AM – 12 PM, hosted by the Louisiana Workforce Commission and Healthy Blue. Job Seekers can scan the QR Code below or click here to register.