“Provides day habilitation, habilitation, prevocational services, respite, support coordination, supported employment, specialized medical equipment and supplies, community life engagement development, dental services, housing stabilization service, housing stabilization transition service, and personal emergency response system services to individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, or developmental disabilities ages 18 or older who meet an ICF/IID level of care. This waiver operates with a concurrent 1915(b)(1), 1915(b)(2), and 1915(b)(4) authority.”
Louisiana DHH Employment for People with Disabilities is a Priority (2014)
“On Wednesday, October 1, 2014, individuals with disabilities, employers and advocates gathered on the Capitol steps to call attention to the importance of employment for people with disabilities and the beginning of Louisiana’s observance of National Disability Employment Awareness month.
Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Secretary Kathy H. Kliebert outlined her agency’s efforts to promote employment for people with disabilities. “The role of work in our lives has been talked about so much and from nearly every angle. Issues like work-life balance make easy headlines, but what is often left out of the discussion all too frequently is that for some individuals work hasn’t always been an option,” said DHH Secretary Kliebert. “We want to make sure that our family members, friends and neighbors with disabilities have the ability to work if they choose to do so. We are dedicated to using waiver services, supports and provider relationships to help make that possible. I want to thank our the Workforce Commission, the Advocacy Center and our other partners for continuing to work to ensure that work is an option for any Louisiana resident who wishes to join the labor force.”
Louisiana Executive Order 2016-11: Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination
“No state agencies, departments, offices, commissions, boards, entities or officers of the State of Louisiana shall harass or discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, disability, or age against any individual in the provision of any service and/or benefit by such agencies, departments, offices, commissions, boards or entities.”
Louisiana Executive Order 16-45: Louisiana Rehabilitation Council (2016)
“Whereas, the State Rehabilitation Council was originally established by executive order to provide Louisiana’s citizens with disabilities assistance in their pursuit of meaningful careers and gainful employment through specific programs.
Preparing and submitting an annual report to the governor and the commissioner of the Rehabilitation Service Administration, Washington, D.C., on the status of vocational rehabilitation programs operating within the state, and making the report available to the public.
Providing for coordination and the establishment of working relationships between Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, the Statewide Independent Living Council, and the Centers for Independent Living within the state.”
Louisiana OCDD Quarterly DDC Council Report (2016)
A report detailing Medicaid service levels, as well as a variety of Waivers and initiatives, including, but not limited to, the “residential Option Waiver, the New Opportunities Waiver, and the Self-Directed Waiver, as well as a description of ”Money Follows the Person”.
“The Governor’s Advisory Council on Disabilities Affairs (GACDA) was established by Governor John Bel Edwards through Executive Order NO. JBE 2016-10 on April 7, 2016 to monitor state compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and to advise the governor on the needs of individuals with disabilities in Louisiana. GACDA is also charged with assisting the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs with the resolution of state disability issues and provide education, communication, and networking services concerning disability issues and needs for all Louisiana citizens. GACDA is composed of 31 members appointed by governor Edwards. Support staff, facilities and resources for GACDA are provided by the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs within the Governor’s Office of Programs and Planning.”
“Jump Start is Louisiana’s innovative career and technical education (CTE) program. Jump Start prepares students to lead productive adult lives, capable of continuing their education after high school while earning certifications in high-wage career sectors.
Students are required to attain industry-promulgated, industry-valued credentials in order to graduate with a Career Diploma. (Jump Start is an elective path for students pursuing a university-preparatory diploma.)
Schools receive the same accountability grade credit for preparing students for careers in high-demand job sectors as they do for students who achieve top academic honors.”
The Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) believes that it is time to improve employment outcomes for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in Louisiana.
What is Employment First?
Over the last few years the term “Employment First” has become widely used to describe how state and local systems across the country articulate the values and philosophy which support employment services available to individuals and families.
An “Employment First” approach means integrated individual employment is offered before other service options, and that community employment is supported as the priority outcome in policy, practice, and quality management.
The OCDD believes that individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities have the right to work and through partnerships, vision, and creativity, perceived or real barriers to employment can be overcome.
The OCDD believes that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities CAN work and contribute to their community, when given the opportunity, training, and supports that build on their strengths.
Louisiana Gov. Edwards Proclaims October “Disability Employment Awareness Month” (2017)
“Gov. John Bel Edwards proclaimed October as ‘Disability Employment Awareness Month in Louisiana. In collaboration with Louisiana Workforce Commission and Families Helping Families, the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs will be traveling the state on an Employment First Tour, beginning October 10 in Lafayette. This is an opportunity for the office to host roundtable discussions regarding the integrated, competitive employment for people with disabilities.
Disability Employment Awareness Month is a great way to emphasize the importance of the contributions of persons with disabilities in moving Louisiana forward,” said Gov. Edwards. “Our businesses and communities can greatly benefit from the integrated, competitive employment of persons with disabilities.”
“South Louisiana Community College, the board of directors for Local Workforce Development Board #40, and area parish presidents in Acadiana are partnering to improve workforce development in the region. The collaboration – a first for a community college in Louisiana – falls under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) enacted in 2014…
The Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act puts great emphasis on the out-of-school youth, collaborations with re-entry and adult education partners, individuals with disabilities, in addition to the unemployed and underemployed populations. The board of LWDB #40 is confident that SLCC will be successful in coordinating the alignment of services among the One-Stop partners that will promote and increase successful outcomes to both the individual and the employer. Special gratitude to the parish presidents, Louisiana Workforce Commission Office of Workforce Development, LWDB #40 board of directors, One-Stop Committee members, attorney, CPA, partners and most importantly, the dedicated team of SLPG/LWDB #40 for continuous improvement of our Workforce Development programs,” said Brenda Hubbard-Thomas, LWDB #40 WIOA Executive Director.”
