"Imagine being a child with a disability and all you ever see are typical, able-bodied children. What message does that send you about yourself? That you are 'abnormal.' That you are not worthy of being shown to the world. I know you're reading this cringing inside because, of course, no child should ever be made to feel that way. Lack of representation also hurts those children who are represented. They grow up with the incredibly skewed perception that everybody looks like them. And anybody who doesn't isn't 'normal' and should be feared.

That my friends is how racism and ableism can be perpetuated in our kids without us even realizing it. Representation matters!"

Keep your contact information up to date, including your address, phone number, cell number, and email. Choose the way that's easiest for you:

• Online HERE
• By email at mymedicaid@la.gov
• By calling Louisiana Medicaid toll-free at 1-888-342-6207, or by calling your health plan (your plan's number is on your insurance card)

Don’t miss important updates about your health insurance. Medicaid will start mailing renewal letters in May 2023. If you do get a letter in the mail, follow the instructions and respond to Medicaid.

Do you work with youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities? Are you or your networks looking for ways to help them build skills to responsibly use technology to learn, create, and participate in a digital world? Are you looking for resources to share with parents and caregivers of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities?

The Family and Youth Services Bureau at the Administration for Children and Families in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services invites you to use the following resources:

• Digital Citizenship: Adapted Lessons for Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. These two free lessons were designed to teach youth how to identify online risk and have healthy online relationships. They are interactive and intended for in-person delivery in a classroom or organization serving youth ages 10 to 21 with mild to moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• Sexual Health Resource Toolkit for Parents and Caregivers of Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. This toolkit is designed to (1) raise parents' and caregivers' awareness about the importance of discussing sexual health topics with their youth, (2) give them some tips to guide these conversations, and (3) provide additional resources for those who want more information. The toolkit is also intended to help organizations serving youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities to connect with and support the parents and caregivers of the youth they serve. It provides resources to share via social media and email on parent-child communication, adolescent development, sexual assault, and internet safety. The toolkit includes social media memes, audio files, and informational snapshots that can be shared by and with parents.

We hope you will use these new resources with the youth, parents, and caregivers you work with and share them with your personal and professional networks! 

Dylan Crews Home Run Derby

JOIN THE CHALLENGE

• Dylan will donate $100 for every HOME RUN he hits during the 2023 LSU Baseball season.
• Dylan's family will donate $100 for every HOME RUN Dylan's LSU teammates hit in the 2023 LSU baseball season.

Donate Now or Pledge and Pay Later.

All donations are tax-deductible and go to support the network of

Families Helping Families Centers.

The Tiered Waiver System

Mon. February 13 2023

11:00 AM - 12:00 AM

The Bridge From High School to Postsecondary Services

Tue. February 14, 2023

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Anti-Discrimination Laws & Students with Disabilities

Wed. February 15, 2023

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

The Basics of Educational Plans: IEP v. 504 Plans

Thurs. February 16, 2023

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

How to Write Ambitious IEP Goals

Wed. February 16, 2023

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Our learning opportunities are designed to help empower parents and self-advocates to become brighter and stronger advocates for themselves or their child with a disABILITY.

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR LOUISIANA FAMILIES UPON REQUEST

Email sblackmon@fhfofgno.org

Check out our new RSA Independent Futures That Work page under the PTI tab on our website bar. Here you will find many resources for students transitioning from school to adulthood. These resources will help youth with disABILITIES develop the skills needed to live the best life possible. Resources will also provide support to families and professionals as they help young adults transition to adult life.



THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

The "Child Development" training series discuss important milestones that typical children achieve and the warning signs that they are falling behind. The sessions also include activities that you can do with the child to help them thrive. All sessions highlight the unique challenges that children in foster care face as a result of being abused or neglected, born with addiction or fetal alcohol syndrome or attachment problems.



In addition to developmental milestones, warning signs and activities, this "Infant-2-Year-Old" session includes info on failure to thrive, shaken-baby syndrome, delays vs. disabilities, and early intervention.

• Quick Training Information:
• Targeted Participants: Foster Caregivers
• Fee: FREE
• Training Credit: 3 Training Hours*

*These sessions are presented virtually and will require you to have Zoom installed. Attendance is required to earn training credit.

February 27, 2023, at 1:00 PM

Hosted by Louisiana Adult Protection Services, Office for Aging and Adult Services in partnership with the Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs

A listening Session that offers the opportunity for community members to express their concerns about neglect and abuse as well as suggestions to better serve our most vulnerable population.

South Regional Branch

Lafayette Public Library

6101 Johnson Street

Lafayette, LA 70503

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2023

11:00 AM

From Families Helping Families Region 7

Advocacy: The Raise Your Voice Webinar empowers and educates individuals and families with disabilities to 'Raise Their Voice' in Self-Advocacy.

Presenter: Rashad Bristo

Motivational Speaker

You have a choice! Your Voice Matters.

FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS have been selected as the beneficiary of the Winn Dixie Community Bag Program! 

Each time the $2.99 reusable Community Bag is purchased at the Winn-Dixie at 8601 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge, LA during the month of FEB 2023 we will receive a $1 donation. 

Does your child have a disability or special health care needs?

We need you! The Louisiana Parent Training and Information Center

is seeking Parent Advisory Members throughout the state.