LaCAN Action Alert #7: House Appropriations to Vote on Budget

Action Alert #7

House Appropriations to Vote on Budget

April 8, 2026

On Monday, April 13^th at 9 AM, the House Appropriations Committee will vote on the proposed Fiscal Year 27 budget (House Bill 1 or HB1). This budget would begin July 1^st.

Below are some disability-related issues that are not included in the current proposed budget:

Funding to increase Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) rates and Direct Support Worker (DSW) pay
Restoring funding for Families Helping Families (FHF) Regional Resource Centers
Additional funding for Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS)

More details about these issues can be found after the “How to Take Action” part.

How to Take Action

If these topics matter to you, there are options below to tell the committee how these issues affect you and whether you think they should be funded or not.

Email or call the Chair and committee members before the April 13^th meeting. Contact information for members is listed at the end of this alert.

Email your comments and concerns to h-app@legis.la.gov.

When sharing comments, it helps to include:

Your name
Your contact information
The topic you are writing about (HCBS rates, DSW pay, FHF Centers, LRS, etc.)
A short description of your experience or concerns

Attend Yellow Shirt Day in House Appropriations

Monday, April 13^th at 9 AM
Louisiana State Capitol – House Committee Room 5
Arrive early to get a seat

Contact your LaCAN Leader if you need help, want more information or need a ride to the Capitol.

Committee meetings can be watched live on the Louisiana Legislature’s website. A link will appear when the meeting begins.

More Information

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) rates and Direct Support Worker (DSW) Pay

HCBS help people with disabilities live in their homes and communities.
Many services depend on DSWs who provide daily help and support.
A recent rate study found about $53.6 million in state general funds would be needed to increase service rates and DSW pay.
LDH told House Appropriations members they need more information and do not plan to address this issue until next year.
Advocates thought the rate study would help lead to changes this year. They are concerned the delay may make the DSW shortage last longer and affect services.
This issue in the budget is in Schedule 9 – Louisiana Department of Health.
Click HERE for more information.

Families Helping Families (FHF) Regional Resource Centers

The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council provides state funding to FHF Centers across the state.
The proposed budget includes a $250,000 cut to this funding.
This change can affect FHF services and operations.
This issue in the budget is in Schedule 9 – Louisiana Department of Health.
Click HERE for more information.

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS)

LRS helps people with disabilities prepare for work, find jobs and keep jobs.
Louisiana does not provide enough state matching funds for LRS to access all available federal funding
It was reported $72 - $74 million would be available next year
We’ve missed out on $155 million in federal funds over the last five years.
$6.8 million in state general funds would allow the state to access all federal funding
This issue in the budget is in Schedule 14 – Louisiana Works.
Click HERE for more information.

Confirm Your Action

Email your LaCAN Leader after you take action
Why confirm your action? This helps the Council know how effective we are reaching you with important information and engaging members across our state in advocacy for systems change.

Tips & Tools for Advocacy

Looking for tips and tools to help you in your advocacy? Check out the Council’s Advocacy 101 page. You can also find tips for:

LaCAN is an initiative of the LA Developmental Disabilities Council. If there are any questions about the information in this email, contact the Council by replying to this email, or calling the toll free number listed below:

phone: 1-800-450-8108

email: info@laddc.org

website: www.laddc.org

facebook: www.facebook.com/LaDDCouncil

twitter: www.twitter.com/LaDDCouncil

View all recent LaCAN Alert HERE .