The Governor's Office of Disability Affairs Newsletter
January 2019
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Governor John Bel Edwards and the Statewide Independent Living Council Creates Public Service Announcement
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Governor John Bel Edwards and the
Statewide Independent Living Council
(SILC) released a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to bring awareness to the programs and initiatives offered to individuals with disabilities in Louisiana. The PSA which features a message from Governor Edwards and members of the SILC can be seen
here
with closed captioning.
The mission of the SILC is to promote and maximize cooperation through working relationships with other state and local agencies, programs, private business, and other public and private organizations, in order to address the needs of citizens with disabilities in the state of Louisiana, by ensuring the integration, and full inclusion of any individuals with a disabilities, into the mainstream of our society, so they will be able to choice to live independently, and participate in any and all of the freedoms afforded to a resident of the state of Louisiana, and a citizen of the United States of America.
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Governor's Outstanding Leadership in Disabilities (GOLD) Awards Ceremony Video
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The Governor’s Office hosted the Governor’s Outstanding Leadership in Disabilities (GOLD) Awards on November 28, 2018 at the Old State Capitol. The GOLD Awards ceremony was created to serve as an opportunity for Louisiana to pay tribute to the achievements, dedication, and extraordinary efforts of individuals who benefit the disability community. 14 awards were presented to individuals and organizations during the ceremony. The GOLD Awards ceremony can be viewed
here
with closed captioning.
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Remembering Father Patrick Mascarella
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Former Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) member and Louisiana Rehabilitation Council member, disability advocate, and beloved Catholic priest, Father Patrick Mascarella passed away on January 24, 2019 after complications from a heart surgery. Father Pat served as a Catholic priest for more than 50 years throughout The Diocese of Baton Rouge, and participated in many efforts to advocate for individuals with disabilities during his lifetime.
Father Pat was often seen with his service animal, Pace, who was the recipient of the Service Animal of the Year Award in 2009. Please click
here
to view Father Patrick Mascarella's obituary.
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2019 Legislative Regional Roundtable Sessions
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Every roundtable offers important information for both members and policymakers alike, and a venue for these groups to connect. A typical roundtable is 2-3 hours long and includes a free meal (typically breakfast).
The itinerary for the statewide roundable sessions are:
Region 2 – Baton Rouge/Capital Area
WHEN:
Tuesday, February 12th 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
WHERE:
American Red Cross – 4655 Sherwood Common Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA
225-715-5740 / 225-216-7474
Region 3 – Houma/Thibodaux Area
WHEN:
Tuesday, February 5th 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
WHERE:
Terrebonne Parish Library – 4130 West Park Ave., Gray, LA
985-438-1179
Region 4 – Lafayette/Acadiana Area
WHEN:
Wednesday, February 13th 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
WHERE:
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church – 400 Camellia Blvd., Lafayette, LA
504-909-5607 / 337-984-3458
Region 5 – Lake Charles/Southwest La. Area
WHEN:
Wednesday, February 6th 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
WHERE:
Central Library – 301 West Claude St., Lake Charles, LA
Region 6 – Alexandria/Central La. Area
WHEN:
Thursday, February 7th 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
WHERE:
Kees Park – 2450 Highway 28 East, Pineville, LA
Region 7 – Shreveport/Northwest La. Area
WHEN:
Thursday, February 28th 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
WHERE:
Bossier Instructional Center – 2719 Airline Dr., Bossier City, LA
318-226-4541
Region 8 – Monroe/Northeast La. Area
WHEN:
Friday, February 22nd 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
WHERE:
La. Delta community College – 7500 Millhaven Rd., Monroe, LA
Region 9 – Florida Parishes/Northshore Area
WHEN:
Thursday, February 21st 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
WHERE:
St. Tammany Parish Library – 1123 Main St., Madisonville, LA
For more information regarding the roundtable sessions please visit click
here
.
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Governor Edwards joined Ainsley's Angels in the Louisiana Marathon
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The 5th Annual
Louisiana Marathon
was held in Baton Rouge on January 18th-19th. Ainsley's Angels of Louisiana, a chapter of Ainsley's Angels of America, participated in this year's event. Governor John Bel Edwards served as a volunteer during the marathon and issued award medals to the participants.
The Mission of
Ainsley's Angels of America
is not only to ensure that everyone can experience endurance events, but to also build awareness about America's special needs community through inclusion in all aspects of life. Serving as advocates to provide education and participate as active members in local communities.
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Office of Behavioral Health Community Meetings
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The
Office of Behavioral Health (OBH)
will be holding a series of regional meetings in February to provide an opportunity for community members, families and behavioral health providers to share their experiences about the behavioral health system with state officials. At most locations, the “Conversations on Behavioral Health” listening tour has separate session for providers and members of the community. The goal with all sessions is to allow officials to hear from stakeholders about what does and doesn’t work in the behavioral health system. Attendees can also have their questions addressed by officials.
RSVP is not required for attendance, and all meetings are open to the public. For more information, email
ldhlistens@la.gov.
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Governor's Fellows Program In Louisiana Government for University Students
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Gov. John Bel Edwards has launched the Governor’s Fellows Program in Louisiana Government, which provides an opportunity for Louisiana’s college and university students to experience policy making in action through participation in the state’s governing process.
Fellows will be assigned to cabinet-level agencies, and they will have the opportunity to observe first-hand how the governor leads and how policies are developed and advanced. Fellows will also participate in a weekly speaker series and field trips designed to enhance the overall experience and understanding of Louisiana government and current affairs.
The application process is now open and available here:
The fellowships are open to all students attending a Louisiana public higher education institution and Louisiana residents enrolled in out-of-state public higher education institutions. Fellows will be chosen based on the students’ commitment to leadership, public service and good government.
Participating students will receive housing on LSU’s campus for the duration of the fellowship, a stipend up to $1,500 and three credit hours through the LSU Public Administration Institute.
The Governor’s Fellows Program in Louisiana Government is a partnership with the Office of the Governor, Louisiana State University, Southern University and the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. The program will be funded entirely through philanthropic contributions managed by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.
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Newly-formed Louisiana Mental Health Coalition
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The Mental Health Coalition is a collective organizations and individuals across Louisiana who support the following principals:
To advocate that individuals with mental health needs should have access to high quality mental health service and treatment.
To advocate that individuals with mental health needs should have access to sufficient community-based services and treatment such that they can live an integrated and independent life.
To bring greater awareness of individuals with mental health needs and their rights to participate in treatment decisions and their care.
The priorities of the Louisiana Mental Health Coalition include building a unified message for mental health advocacy across the state, promoting public education and awareness of the benefits of mental health services, facilitating partnerships across sectors, and elevating the voices of individuals with lived experiences of mental illness.
The Louisiana Mental Health Coalition has hosted Community Conversation events in Hammond, Opelousas, Metairie, in the month of January to encourage interested parties to participate in the strategic efforts to improve mental health services in Louisiana. The next Community Conversation event will take place in Shreveport, LA on February 7, 2019 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at 401 Edwards Street, Suite 125. Please RSVP via this link:
https://lmhc_shreveport.eventbrite.com
If your organization would like to participate or become a member of The Louisiana Mental Health Coalition please contact:
lamentalhealthcoalition@gmail.com
or (504) 482-9707
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Sickle Cell Warrior Documentary
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To create greater awareness of Sickle Cell Anemia, University of Louisiana Lafayette Mass Communication Major Eman Boyd produced a powerful documentary featuring the story of Don Vallien. Mr. Vallien, the creator of the Southwest Louisiana Sickle Cell Anemia, Inc. shares his journey of his scheduled kidney transplant and the special relationship with his donor, Debra Mouton in the documentary entitled: "Sickle Cell Warrior Documentary".
Mr. Vallien has coordinated several events to benefit the lives of individuals living with Sickle Cell Anemia in Lafayette and surrounding areas, and continues to advocate on their behalf.
To watch the "Sickle Cell Warrior Documentary" please click
here.
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The Florida Parishes Human Services Authority and Southeastern University to Host Job Fair
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Please click
here
to download the event flyer, a map of the campus, and the required parking pass, and special instructions to follow upon arriving.
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Louisiana Children's Trust Fund Announces Grant Applications
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The
Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund (LCTF)
has announced the release of the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund Grant Applications for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. For more than 36 years the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund has worked to prevent child abuse and neglect among Louisiana’s children and families through building strong cross-sector partnerships and through increased child safety public awareness. It is LCTF’s constant goal to support community based efforts to develop, operate, expand, enhance and coordinate initiatives and programs geared toward the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Additionally, please click the link below to access an online training video that will provide additional assistance with completing the application:
For additional information on the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund and to gain access to the applications, please click
here.
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Louisiana Rehabilitation Association Training Conference 2019
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The
Louisiana Rehabilitation Association (LRA)
Training Conference will take place on February 11-12, 2019 at the Tracey Center, located at 1800 South Acadian Thruway Baton Rouge, LA. Participants of the conference will participate in breakout sessions to some of the following discuss: Competitive Integrated Employment, Mental Health & Culture in the Workplace, Louisiana Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Services, and The Americans with Disabilities Act. Please click
here
to register and view the LRA Training Conference Schedule.
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The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates to Hold National Conference in New Orleans
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The
Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA)
will host its 21
st
Annual Conference on March 7
th
-10
th
in New Orleans, Louisiana. The COPAA is an independent, nonprofit membership organization of special education attorneys, special education advocates, other professionals, and parents/family members. The organization’s primary mission is to secure high quality education services for children with disabilities. The COPAA believes that disseminating knowledge of protections under the law, advocacy strategy, and educational best practice is an important part of leveling the playing field and enabling parents to meaningfully participate in their child’s educational programs.
Each year members and prospective members gather for the COPAA Annual Conference. The Conference changes location each year, alternating in different regions of the country. 2019 is in New Orleans, LA. The COPAA Conference provides unique opportunities for training and networking with the most experienced and knowledgeable advocates and attorneys on special education issues. Participants attend to learn about the most recent cases, legislative changes, and the latest disability specific educational interventions. Over 600 registrants are expected to attend this year’s conference. To register for the COPPA Conference please click
here
.
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The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) of Louisiana will host its 38th Annual Superconference on Special Education: "Elevating Education for Exceptional Learners." The Conference will take place on February 24th-26th in Lafayette at the Cajundome Convention Center.
To register for the CEC Superconference please click
here.
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The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
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The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $55,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.
The NHILC VITA program is now open all year to serve the community as well as people with disabilities. NHILC is unique in that the organization is able to provide needed accommodations for taxpayers with disabilities. New Horizons is one of three Louisiana Centers for Independent Living and serves the 29 parishes of north Louisiana.
Please click
here
to locate the various VITA locations statewide.
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New Rules For ABLE Accounts
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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is making an effort to remind individuals with disabilities of the opportunity to save money without losing out on Social Security, Medicaid or other government benefits.
According to an article found
here
written by Michelle Diament of Disabilityscoop.com, there are many new rule changes to the ABLE Act, also known as a the 529 ABLE or 529A account, that will take effect this year providing individuals with disabilities more favorable options.
Diament provides that individuals living in the United States are able to deposit an additional $12,140 in income, which means that individuals with disabilities in the workforce can possibly save $27,140 in an ABLE account this year.
ABLE accounts allow individuals with disabilities to save up to $100,000 with out risking eligibility for governmental benefits.
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