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Who We Are
"Does your child have special health care needs? Do you care from someone with a disability? Need help with the school system? We're here to help! Talk with someone who gets it" -
Education & Training
Workshops and trainings are coordinated and presented on topics relevant to the issues facing persons with disabilities and their families. -
Advocacy Group
A statewide grassroots network of individuals and organizations designed to promotes appropriate education and supports individuals... -
Peer to Peer
Our trained, knowledgeable staff are parents of children with disabilities or individuals with disabilities. They are here to provide you with the support you need.
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Programs
A system of resources has been developed to provide up-to-date, detailed information on disabilities.
Resources
Shop & Give Back
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PayPal Donations
Our Mission
To assist and strengthen individuals with disabilities and their families through a coordinated network of resources, services and supports.
Families Helping Families of Acadiana is one of ten 501©3 non-profit resource centers located throughout the state of Louisiana.
Our corporation was organized as a family-directed resource center based on the principals of Louisiana Act 378 of 1989 for individuals with disabilities and their families.
We believe that providing support services through our programs will educate, strengthen and empower families and individuals who are at an increased risk for family breakdown.
We are parents that have gone through what you're going through, the individual that lives with a disability every day and the family that that is continuously trying to figure out what is best for our child or children.
We've been "in your shoes"!
Since its inception, Families Helping Families has served thousands of families in the Region IV area through 3 areas of services: Information & Referral, Peer-to-Peer Support, and Educational Services and Training.
Click Here to see which parishes we provide services to:
Meet Our FHFOA 2021-2022 Support Team
Annette Fruge'
Family Support Coordinator,
Education Liaison Assistant, &
Community Resource Specialist - Annette has been with our agency
for 5 years.
Harlon Cowsar, II
Adult Program Coordinator & Referral Specialist - Harlon has been with our agency
for 4 years.
Upcoming Events
The ABCs of ESY
ESY (Extended School Year) Provides an overview of the ESY process for children with disabilities...
What is Early Steps (Part C)
An Introduction to Louisiana's Part C Early Intervention System
Game Changer Fitness Extravaganza
Unique Health & Fitness will be providing a Game Changer Fitness Extravaganza event on Saturday, October 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Girard Park
Early Steps: IFSP 101 Webinar
Join us for tips on making the most of your child's Individual Family Service Plan. Register Today!
New Guidance
“All students deserve to have their rights protected, & schools deserve greater clarity on how they can avoid the discriminatory use of discipline.”
Mental Health
Compared to students without disabilities, students with disabilities experience:
Treats at the Village
Trick or Treating Experience for individuals with special needs & their families.
ACP - Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a new Federal Communications Commission Program
that provides discounts on internet service and devices for qualified households...
AAHSD Three Year Accreditation!
The results are in! It is official! We are excited to say that AAHSD has earned a Three-Year Accreditation!
A three-year accreditation from CARF is the highest level of accreditation possible.
Community Baby Shower at Opelousas General Hospital
Our Early Steps Community Outreach Specialist, Kristie Curtis, did a great job representing Families Helping Families of Acadiana and connecting with families at the Community Baby Shower at Opelousas General Hospital.
SUMMER P-EBT
DCFS received federal approval to extend the state’s Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program to cover the summer months.
Louisiana Special School District
Did you know there was a flag for #DisabilityPrideMonth in July? It has a black background with five zigzag lines colored blue, yellow, white, red and green. The lines represent lightning bolts and each color represents something unique about the disability community!
World Health Organization
Anyone can catch viruses including COVID19 and monkeypox, regardless of their age, gender, nationality
Comprehensive Medicaid Dental Care Coverage
Beginning July 1, 2022, individuals ages 21 and older enrolled in the New Opportunities Waiver, Residential Options Waiver
Customized Employment Gateway Training
Upcoming Customized Employment Gateway Training on Discovery! To qualify as a provider of customized employment,
Medicaid Pink Letter Campaign
Louisiana Medicaid launched the Pink Letter Campaign to ensure all contact information for Louisiana Medicaid recipients is accurate.
Special Education Advisory Panel
The Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) is soliciting applicants for its Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP).
Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council
In celebration of 32nd Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Governor's Office of Disability Affairs (GODA) will host its annual conference on the week of July 25-28, 2022!
Louisiana Autism Spectrum and Related Disabilities (LASaRD) Project
Sometimes our children struggle with multi-step directions. A visual task analysis helps the child learn the skill and be more independent!
Medicaid Members
Don’t miss out. Make sure you get your pink letter. Louisiana Medicaid mailed member households a pink letter to make sure we have your correct contact information.
Mental Health - LA Dept of Education
When bad things happen, stress builds internally and we feel unworthy and negative. Remember, you are valuable!...
Baby Formula Shortage - Tips from LA Dept of Health
In response to a nationwide #babyformulashortage, the Louisiana Department of Health is issuing tips to families for dealing with the shortage and obtaining appropriate substitutions for the baby.
Ramp Grant Program
Did you know that LCG has a program to help low- and moderate-income homeowners with accessibility issues? Call 337-291-7357 or email:
The Autistic Penguins
Sharing on behalf of The Autistic Penguins - support group for autistic adults:
Greeting everyone, We're The Autistic Penguins and we're here to spread support and resources for autistic adults!
LaCAN Appropriations to vont on FY23 Budget
House Appropriations meets this Monday to vote on the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Budget (HB1) which begins July 1st.
Autism Parent Forum
FHFOA would like to thank Grolee Elementary for inviting us to their 2022 Autism Parent Forum. Thank you all for the warm welcome and hospitality.
ACT utilizing JAWS software
17-year-old Ky'ren Johnson from Bastrop is the 1st blind student in the nation to complete the ACT using JAWS!
LA Dept of Education feedback
The Department has released the Future of Assessment Survey to gather feedback on what is working well and what challenges need to be addressed
Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council
The U.S. Department of Education has released new guidance with new requirements for how to apply IDEA to students with disabilities in private schools...
Summer fun in a safe, inclusive environment!
Sharing on behalf of Generational Voices Louisiana: Looking for summer fun in a safe, inclusive environment? We are excited to announce an opportunity for our children with unique needs to be fully integrated with children with more typical needs!
LA Dept of Education
Each year the Louisiana Department of Education submits a grant application to the U.S. Department of Education for state set aside funding through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Louisiana Alliance Postsecondary Inclusive Education
If you have an intellectual disability, you may receive funding from the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal...
Acadiana Area Human Services District
The Acadiana Area Human Services District- Developmental Disabilities (AAHSD-DD) serves as the single point of entry for those seeking support or services through the Louisiana Department of Health.
At Home Covid Tests
Are you having issues getting at home Covid tests?
If so, we will be receiving a limited supply of tests to distribute to our families we serve.
Please contact our office at 337.984.3458 to reserve your at home Covid test.
Updated Posters are In!
Come and pickup your new poster for your office or place of business.
LADDC News Council's 2022 Legislative Agenda
The Council adopted its 2022 Legislative Advocacy Agenda with input from both LaCAN and FamiliesHelpingFamilies...
Autism Indicator on LA Driver's License
Eligible Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles customers can now request to have an “Autism” indicator added to their driver’s license.
LA Dept. of Education Launches the Engaged Initiative
The BE ENGAGED® initiative is powered through an innovative technology app, PimsPoints. Download the app here:
LA Developmental Disabilities Council
Families Helping Families is a statewide network of ten family-directed and family-staffed regional resource centers that provide information on all types of services, goods,...
Latest Videos
Fridays Families Spotlight Preview
Calendar of Events
| 28 Sep 2022 01:00PM - Special Education Dispute Resolution |
| 11 Oct 2022 09:00AM - 12:00PM Acadiana Diversity Job Fair |
| 12 Oct 2022 10:00AM - What Is Early Steps (Part C ) |
| 12 Oct 2022 03:00PM - Louisiana's Bullying Law |
| 18 Oct 2022 06:00PM - 08:00PM Treats at the Village |
| 19 Oct 2022 01:00PM - FAQ 1.0 |
| 26 Oct 2022 01:00PM - FAQ 2.0 |
| 02 Nov 2022 03:00PM - FAQ 3.0 |
| 05 Nov 2022 01:00PM - Parental Rights in Special Education |
| 09 Nov 2022 02:00PM - Top Tips For An Effective IEP Meeting |
| 16 Nov 2022 01:00PM - Parental Rights |
| 22 Nov 2022 02:00PM - Louisiana's Bullying Law |
| 30 Nov 2022 12:00PM - FAQ 1.0 |
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Current Newsletter
Fall 2022
