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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
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Families Helping Families Of Acadiana whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
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
You can WIN a $50 Gift Card!!!
Your Name Will Be Entered Into A Drawing Each Time You Register And Complete Any Training/Workshop/Webinar. Drawing Will Be Held In June 2023.
Legal Status - Decisions of Person or Property
What are some rights and obligations of a person gains at the age of majority?
Question - Persuade - Refer
QPR is an evidence-based emergency mental health intervention for suicidal persons created in 1995 by Paul Quinnett.
Understanding Medicare
Get simple, straight-forward answers to your questions to better understand Medicare and the options available to you!
Whatever It Takes - ACT 378 Community and Family Supports: The Origin of Waivers
Join us to learn about the history of the Community & Family Support Act - Act 378 and what supports are available to individuals ...
Free Webinar - Promoting Healthy Mental Health within the Family
Explore psychosocial factors of development, review relevant parenting approaches and learn targeted familial stress coping strategies.
Louisiana Rare Disease Advisory Council
FDA will host Rare Disease Day, a virtual public meeting, on February 27, 2023, 9:00 am – 4:45 pm ET, in global observance of Rare Disease Week.
LA Medicaid Plan
Medicaid will have six health plan options available for members beginning January 1, 2023.
Promoting Healthy Mental Health within the Family
Explore psychosocial factors of development. Review relevant parenting approaches. Learn targeted familial stress coping strategies.
UL LIFE Program
The UL LIFE (Learning is for Everyone) Program offers a basic 2-year program that incorporates functional academics, independent daily living skills, employment, social/leisure skills...
Virtual Parent Support Group
Every family is different, that is why, we also offer one-on-one individualized parent support...
$1000 Tutoring Vouchers
This will be a first-come, first-serve voucher. There will only be enough for some who qualify, but most students with an IEP or 504 plan should easily qualify...
Family survey about Reading and Writing
This survey is for families of children with an IEP or 504 plan who were enrolled in grade 3, 4, or 5 at certain schools...
Outreach & Early Childhood at Louisiana School for the Deaf
For students who are hard of hearing or otherwise able to effectively access spoken language, reducing classroom noise and reverberation...
Job Interviews
nterviewing for a job can be a very stressful experience for anyone looking for employment, but for job applicants with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) who may have social difficulties...
Client Assistance Program
The CAP provides assistance and information as well as advocacy to people with disabilities who are getting or applying for services throuh vocational rehabilitation programs like LA Rehab Services.
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:
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...
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.
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
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Calendar of Events
| 31 Jan 2023 11:00AM - Act 378 Community and Family Supports: The Origin of Waivers |
| 07 Feb 2023 12:00PM - Understanding Medicare |
| 08 Feb 2023 10:00AM - 12:00PM Question - Persuade - Refer |
| 22 Feb 2023 12:00PM - Legal Status: Decisions of Person or Property |
Our Partners
Website is funded through:
Current Newsletter
Fall 2022
