The Governor's Office of Disability Affairs Newsletter
March 2020
|
|
Upcoming Legislative Session and GACDA Meeting
|
|
The 2020 Regular Legislative Session will convene at noon on Monday, March 9, 2020 with final adjournment no later than 6:00 pm on Monday, June 1, 2020.
To monitor all updates regarding the 2020 Regular Legislative Session, please visit the Louisiana Legislative website
www.legis.la.gov.
The Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs (GACDA) will host its first quarterly meetings on March 17-18th in Baton Rouge, LA. GACDA is established to advise on the needs of individuals with disabilities in Louisiana and assist the Governor's Office of Disability Affairs (GODA) with the resolution of state disability issues.
On Tuesday, March 17, the following GACDA committees will meet in the Thomas Jefferson Room (A&B) of the Claiborne Building:
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM Legislative
11:00AM- 12:30 PM Education
1:15 PM - 2:45 PM Housing
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Transportation
On Wednesday, March 18, the following GACDA committees will meet in the Press Room on the 4th Floor of the State Capitol:
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Accessibility
10:45AM - 11:15 AM Council Member Orientation
12:00PM - 3:00 PM Full Council Meeting
For more information regarding GODA's calendar please click
here
.
|
|
Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs Executive Director Retires After Dedicated Career
|
|
The Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs is a program within the Governor’s Office of Community Programs, and manages various programs to serve the needs of the elderly population of Louisiana.
She held titles as the Deputy Assistant Secretary, then as the Executive Director of GOEA. Danielle Stafford
,the Deputy Assistant Secretary, will be leading the GOEA at this time.
The Governor's Office of Disability Affairs, wishes Karen all the best in her well-deserved retirement and is beyond grateful for her service.
|
|
Advocacy Center of Louisiana
is now
"Disability Rights Louisiana"
|
|
The Advocacy Center of Louisiana has begun a new chapter in their history. In order for their name to better reflect those they represent and the work they do, they have decided to re-brand the organization as "Disability Rights Louisiana".
Their new website will help will help them communicate better with the disability community including new online intake forms, various articles, and specific services they provide. Their name has changed but their commitment to protect, advocate, and empower children, adults, and seniors with disabilities remains the same.
Please click
here
to visit Disability Rights Louisiana's website.
|
|
The Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs
to host series of
Housing Advocacy Meetings
|
|
The Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs will host a series of Housing Advocacy Meetings across the state. The GACDA committee on Housing seeks interested parties to participate in the coordinated statewide plan for affordable and accessible housing.
The meetings are scheduled to place on:
March 3
rd
10am
– Hammond Parks and Recreation, 601 W Coleman Ave,
Hammond, LA
2pm
– American Red Cross, 4655 Sherwood Common Blvd,
Baton Rouge, LA
March 10
th
10am –
Terrebonne Parish Library, 4130 W. Park Ave,
Gray, LA
2pm
– Keller Library & Community Center, 4300 Broad Ave,
New Orleans, LA
March 11
th
10am
– Rosa Parks Transportation Center, 101 Jefferson St.,
Lafayette, LA
2pm
– Southwest LA Independent Center, 4320 Lake St,
Lake Charles, LA
March 25
th
2pm
–MS Kitchen Incubator, 1210 Milam Street,
Shreveport, LA
March 26
th
10am –
Ouachita Parish Public Library, 1800 Stubbs Ave,
Monroe, LA
2pm
– Westside Regional Public Library, 5416 Provine Pl,
Alexandria, LA
|
|
The Carencro Police Department hosted an eight-hour autism training course to become more aware on how to handle certain situations involving mental health.
Chief Anderson of the Carencro Police Department expressed that it is important for police officers to be able to identify whether a person is showing signs of autism because these signs often mimic symptoms of alcohol or drug impairment.
The expert that conducted this course pointed out the similar signs and how to decipher them. Other organizations have already pledged to host similar training across Louisiana.
To learn more about the eight-hour police officer autism training course please click
here.
|
|
2nd Annual Connections Housing Conference
|
|
The Louisiana Housing Corporation will host it's 2nd Annual Connections Housing Conference on April 1-3 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Connections Housing Conference is an opportunity to connect with a diverse group of professional and advocates from all housing sectors in the state. The conference will be divided into six tracks that discuss housing from an individual, regional, and statewide perspective.
This year's conference will feature a section 504 compliance seminar that will feature ADA expert Kristi Avalos of Accessology Too Inc.
Click here to learn more about the conference and to register please click
here
|
|
LA Transit Resource Guide
|
|
|
|
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Public Transportation Section has published the Louisiana Transit Resource Guide to inform citizens, public officials, administrators, transit managers, and other interested parties about the availability of public transportation in Louisiana.
To gain access to DOTD's resource guide.please click
here.
|
|
Jefferson Parish
Community Resource Fair
|
|
The Jefferson Parish Community will host a community health fair on Saturday, March 28th from 10am-2pm. Free blood pressure and glucose screenings will be available for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Other featured resources that will be available to participants will include Bullying, Community Supports, Counseling,Developmental Disabilities, Early Intervention, Education, Employment, Health Care, Mental Health, Recreation, Service Providers, Social Groups, Support Groups, Transition, Vocational Rehabilitation, and more.
Please click
here
to register.
|
|
The Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families to Host Series of Regional Meetings
|
|
The Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families will host a series of regional meetings throughout the state to discuss the Census 2020, and to provide updates on policy initiatives before the start of the 2020 Regular Legislative Session.The theme of the series of regional meetings is "Making 2020 Count for Children and Families".
Meetings are scheduled to take place on:
- March 2, 2:00 pm at 7711 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge
- March 5, 10:00 am at 1104 4th Street, Conference Room C, Alexandria
- March 5, 2:00 pm at 200 E. Devalcourt Street, Lafayette
- March 6, 10:00 am at 4310 Ryan Street, Lake Charles
Registration is free and attendance is open to the public. To register for the regional meetings please click
here
.
|
|
The Brain Injury Association of America Annual Conference
|
|
The Brain Injury Association of Louisiana will host its 13th Annual Conference on March 27-28, 2020 in Kenner, LA.
The theme for the conference is "Together Toward Tomorrow, and will feature networking opportunities, an opportunity to earn up to 12 CEUs, and gain valuable information from presenters from around the country.
To register for the conference please click
here
.
|
|
|
|
GODA Spotlight
Pittre Walker
|
|
Pittre Walker is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, the daughter of Mary E. Hamilton and the late Johnny Pogue, Sr., she is an active member of the Lake Bethlehem Baptist Church and a member of the choir. She has one daughter, Brittany. She received her B.A. in Social Work from Northeast Louisiana University, and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Grambling State University. She is an active member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Shreveport Alumnae Chapter of 25 years. Ms. Walker is employed by the Caddo Parish Public Schools as the Homeless Coordinator/Title I Programs and served on the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth and the State Board. She has over 30 years of social service experience ranging from case management to individual counseling. She served as the Case Management Division Director for The Arc of Caddo/Bossier for 6 years. She also worked at Volunteers of America and, during this time she established and implemented a Minority Adoption Advisory Council for the Shreveport and Alexandria area, this council would recruit homes for minority infants being placed for adoption. Ms. Walker was a presenter at the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth Conference, the National Title I Conference, the Louisiana Leads Conference, and for two years, and presented at the National Committee for Adoption Conference in Washington, D. C. She has numerous awards, 2006 “Women Who Made a Difference” in Shreveport, Louisiana. In 2011, she received the award of “Outstanding Leaders” by the Shreveport Times and the Alliance for Education. In 2019, she was the recipient of the “Governor’s Outstanding Leadership in Disabilities” (GOLD) Award to name a few. Ms. Walker serves the community by working with HOPE Connections Coalition, the Long-Term Committee for Disasters. She also serves as a member of the Human Trafficking Team in Shreveport. In January 2008, she established and was the founder of Jewell House, the first youth shelter for girls ages 13-21. Ms. Walker once testified before the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity of the Financial Service in front of the United States House of Representatives. Ms. Walker often says, "It's about putting smiles on the children faces, because it's not their fault for the situation they're in. If we can do anything to brighten their day and give them hope to know that there are people in the community who care and love them, that's what we're here to do”.
Your story has the ability to heal, unify, and empower others. If you'd like to share your story for inclusion in our monthly newsletter please email
disability.affairs@la.gov
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
