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PARISHES WE SERVE
Acadia - Evangeline - Iberia - Lafayette - St. Landry - St. Martin - Vermilion
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Throughout history, families have been turning to other families that have dealt with similar struggles and it is within our nature to do so. Families Helping Families has been developed to aid families in the search for the support, information, and resources that can help them.
A very powerful bond and commitment exists between families who share like circumstances and travel a similar path.
An informed, educated, and supported family raises a strong, nourished, and capable child with a bright and successful future.
We believe access to this kind of support and resources should be available to everyone who needs it and Families Helping Families is here to help.
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Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
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Contact Information
100 Benman Road
Lafayette, La. 70506
Phone: 337-984-3458
Fax: 337-984-3468
Email: info@fhfacadiana.org
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The Heat Of Summer
Summer heat has hit us like a sledge hammer. But, that will not stop us from getting fired up about the new opportunities and partnerships that our agency is experiencing.
Just like we’ve done throughout the years in Region 4, we continue to be excited about being out in the community.
Have an amazing summer and my staff and I look forward to providing continuous support.
Nicole Flores
Executive Director
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Our staff would like to thank the
Stuller Family Foundation
and
Clifford J. Schumacher with William C. Schumacher Family Foundation
for the generous grant they bestowed upon our agency.
This will allow us to continue to reach families throughout Region 4.
| | 2025 CALENDAR OF DISABILITY-RELATED DATES | | |
January:
- January 4: World Braille Day
- January 26: World Leprosy Day
February:
- February 4: World Cancer Day
- February 10: International Epilepsy Day
- February 28: Rare Disease Day
March:
- March 3: World Hearing Day
- March 8: International Wheelchair Day
- March 21: World Down Syndrome Day
- All Month: Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
April:
- April 2: World Autism Day
- All Month: Autism Awareness Month
May:
- May 15: Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)
July:
- July 26: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Anniversary, also known as National Disability Independence Day
- All Month: Disability Pride Month
September:
- September 23: International Day of Sign Languages
October:
- October 10: World Mental Health Day
- All Month: ADHD Awareness Month, Dysautonomia Awareness Month
November:
- November 16: International Day for Tolerance
- November 17-21: Inclusion at Work Week
| | Please continue to check your email and/or the FHF Facebook page for upcoming dates and locations. | | | |
We are happy to announce that we have been selected to present at the upcoming 2025 Annual GODA Conference set for July 22- 24, 2025 in Baton Rouge.
See you there!!!
| If there is a topic that you would like to know more about, please email us with your requests. | | |
LaCAN (Louisiana Council’s Advocacy Network) furthers the Council’s mission by advocating for policies and systems that support inclusion everywhere people learn, work, live, and play.
LaCAN advocates for service systems that support children and adults with disabilities to live in their own homes and be fully-included and participating members of their local schools and communities.
LaCAN provides information and support to individuals wishing to effectively advocate for systems change in the areas of home and community-based services, education, and employment.
Regional LaCAN teams include individuals with disabilities, their family members, and professionals. These members are notified by email or phone when communication with state agency officials, legislators or the Governor is necessary.
Guiding Principles
- Children, regardless of the severity of their disability, need families and enduring relationships with adults in a nurturing home environment to develop to their fullest potential.
- Adults with developmental disabilities should be afforded the opportunity to make decisions for themselves, live in typical homes and communities, and exercise their full rights and responsibilities as citizens.
- People with developmental disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disability, should have the opportunity and support needed to gain and maintain competitive, integrated, individualized employment.
- All students, with or without disabilities, should be provided the same opportunities to be educated in neighborhood schools as their sisters, brothers, friends, and neighbors.
- All students, with or without disabilities, should be provided with the support to learn together effectively, involving family, school, and community.
Benefits to Membership
You can help improve the systems that serve individuals with developmental disabilities by joining the LaCAN and participating in its advocacy efforts.
There are no dues or fees to join and your activity level is up to you.
Here are just a few of the benefits to joining LaCAN:
- CONNECTION – become a part of a regional team of advocates
- INFORMATION – receive current information on proposed policy changes and how those changes may affect you and others
- TRAINING – learn skills to effectively advocate for systems change
- SUPPORT – receive assistance from a regional LaCAN Leader who will link you with your policymakers and support your advocacy efforts
Linking lawmakers, individuals with disabilities, and family members to make positive change in systems serving people with disabilities.
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Month of July
Nicole DeJean
| | | | Thank you for your hard work and dedication. | |
Month of August
Nicole DeJean
Month of September
Nicole Flores
Danielle Ledet
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Every family is different, that is why we offer one-on-one individualized parent support.
These sessions can be held in person, phone or virtually.
Families Helping Families of Acadiana provides a comfortable, nonjudgmental and confidential environment that will allow you to be at ease when confiding with us.
| Please call our office to schedule an appointment. | | |
We provide a holistic, all inclusive support group setting for our families. Multiple topics are discussed and everyone feels a sense of belonging.
All are welcome.
Please continue to check our website and/or all our social media platforms for scheduled dates.
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If you are interested in finding out more information about Families Helping Families of Acadiana and the services we provide, please call our office and we will be more than happy to schedule an in person/virtual meeting or call with you!
We are striving to educate EVERYONE in the community about the services we offer, as well as express the importance of inclusion and empowering individuals with disabilities.
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The Louisiana Youth Leadership Forum Team attended The Governor's Office of Disability Affair's Disability Awareness Day at the Capitol.
We shared information about our 2025 camp taking place this month!
| | PROGRAMS THAT ARE SUPPORTED THROUGH OUR CENTER | | |
Nicole Flores
Executive Director
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Annette Fruge'
Director of Family and Community Support
Peer Support Specialist
Information & Referral Specialist
Community Resource Specialist
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Todd Fontenot
Financial Manager
Information & Referral Specialist
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Susie Dupont
Accounts Manager
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Nicole Dejean
Special Projects
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Brenda Bares
Education Liaison
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Kristie Curtis
LaCAN Leader
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Danielle Ledet
Education Liaison
Information & Referral Specialist
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AnnMarie Bihm
Outreach Prep Specialist
Education Liaison Aide
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Harlon Cowsar, II
Adult Program Coordinator
Referral Specialist
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Lillian DeJean
Louisiana Youth Leadership
Forum Coordinator
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Cherelle L. Williams
Member
| | | The Families Helping Families Network | | |
Please see below to find the FHF Center located in your area of the state.
The Families Helping Families Networks are individual, non-profit, family-driven resource centers. They are a group of families, who, through their own experiences, promote advocacy and are committed to reaching other families who have members with disabilities.
The term "disability" includes physical, mental, emotional, behavioral, and/or academic needs.
The FHF Centers are directed and staffed by parents, self-advocates, or family members of individuals with disabilities. The Centers provide education and trainings, peer support, and information and referrals as part of their free services.
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Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge, Inc.
Region 2 - serving East and West Baton Rouge, East and West Feliciana, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, and Ascension
2356 Drusilla Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
225-216-7474 or 1-866-216-7474
225-216-7977 Fax
www.fhfgbr.org
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Bayou Land Families Helping Families, Inc.
Region 3 - serving Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, Terrebonne
286 Highway 3185
Thibodaux, LA 70301
985-447-4461 or 1-800-331-5570
985-447-7988 Fax
www.blfhf.org
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Families Helping Families of Acadiana, Inc.
Region 4 - serving Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, and Vermilion
100 Benman Road
Lafayette, LA 70506
337-984-3458 or 1-855-984-3458
337-984-3468 Fax
www.fhfacadiana.org
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Families Helping Families of Southwest Louisiana, Inc.
Region 5 - serving Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis
324 West Hale Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
337-436-2570 or 1-800-894-6558
337-436-2578 Fax
www.fhfswla.org
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Families Helping Families at the Crossroads of La., Inc.
Region 6 - serving Avoyelles, Concordia, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Rapides, Vernon and Winn
2840 Military Hwy., Suite A
Pineville, LA 71360
318-641-7373 or 1-800-259-7200
318-640-4299 Fax
www.familieshelpingfamilies.net
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Families Helping Families Region 7
Region 7 - serving Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Desoto, Lincoln, Red River, Natchitoches, Sabine, and Webster
215 Bobbie St., Ste. 100
Bossier City, LA 71112
318-226-4541 or 1-877-226-4541
318-742-7260 Fax
www.fhfregion7.com
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Families Helping Families of Northeast Louisiana, Inc.
Region 8 - serving parishes of Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, and West Carroll
5200 Northeast Road
Monroe, LA 71203
318-361-0487 or 1-888-300-1320
318-361-0417 Fax
www.fhfnela.org
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Northshore Families Helping Families, Inc.
Region 9 - serving Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington
108 Highland Park Plaza
Covington, LA 70433
985-875-0511 or 1-800-383-8700
985-875-9979 Fax
www.fhfnorthshore.org
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Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans (FHF of GNO)
Region 1 and 10 - serving Jefferson Parish and the State of Louisiana
700 Hickory Ave
Harahan, LA 70123
504-888-9111 or 1-800-766-7736
504-353-2350 Fax
www.fhfofgno.org
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