Governor's Office of Disability Affairs Newsletter
March 2022
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2022 Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs Conference Call for Speakers is now OPEN! |
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Proposals to speak at the 2022 GODA Annual Conference are due by April 24, 2022. Complete the form in its entirety. If you have more than one idea, please submit a separate proposal for each. Priority selection will be given to proposals that include people with disabilities. The Annual GODA Conference is tentatively scheduled for the latter part of July to coincide with the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Contact Jordan Brisco, Assistant Director of Disability Affairs, at jordan.brisco@la.gov or 225.936.1742 if you have any questions or to confirm your intent to submit a proposal.
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Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs (GACDA) |
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The Governor’s Advisory Council on Disability Affairs (GACDA) will host its quarterly meetings in March. GACDA meetings are open to the public.
GACDA Committees will meet on the days listed below. All committee meetings will start at 3:00pm. All committee meetings will be accessible at the same zoom link.
Monday, March 7 Education committee
Tuesday, March 8 Transportation committee
Wednesday, March 9 Accessibility committee
Thursday, March 10 Legislative committee
If you would like to present disability-related legislation during the Legislative committee meeting, email lillian.dejean@la.gov.
The Full GACDA meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 16 at 1:00pm on the 4th floor of the Capitol with an option to attend and participate via zoom.
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Special Legislative Advocacy Edition of Exceptional Times |
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If you are a parent of a child with a disability or special health care needs, you undoubtedly have multi-tasking as your superpower. Caring for your child is a full-time job and yet, you are expected to do so many other things too. Sadly, the one thing that probably gets dropped to the bottom of your list or maybe not even makes it on your list, is letting legislators know the importance of certain state-funded services that contribute to the quality of your life and the life of your loved one with a disability or special health care need.
This edition is your guide to how you can become involved or more involved in legislative advocacy. Remember, there is power in numbers. Everyone can make a difference.
Please click the following link to view the online version of the magazine:
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Dr. Chaunda Mitchell named Deputy Chief of Staff in the Governor's Office |
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Gov. John Bel Edwards named Dr. Chaunda Mitchell as his new Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Planning within the Office of the Governor.
In this new role, Dr. Mitchell will oversee constituent services, community outreach, faith-based initiatives, disability affairs, elderly affairs, the office of drug policy, the office of women’s policy, the Louisiana Children’s Cabinet and other program areas within the Governor’s Office. Dr. Mitchell replaces Dr. Adren Wilson, who is leaving the office in March to become the new executive director of My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (MBKA) – the Obama Foundation.
“I am absolutely thrilled to have Dr. Mitchell take this leadership role after so many years of dedicated work on our team,” Gov. Edwards said. “Chaunda is accomplished and passionate about serving the people of Louisiana and ensuring that all people are included as we seek to move our state forward. Her new role oversees a vast array of offices and programs, and I am confident that she is the perfect person for the task.”
“I thank Governor Edwards for the opportunity to serve the people of Louisiana in this new capacity,” said Dr. Mitchell. “All of the departments in and their leadership are well positioned for even more success. We will continue positively impacting communities in every part of the state and I look forward to working with Governor Edwards to keep moving in the right direction."
Dr. Mitchell joined Gov. Edwards’ administration in February 2016, serving as the director of the Office of Drug Policy and the Office of Indian Affairs within the Governor’s Office of Programs and Planning. In June 2018, Dr. Mitchell took on the role of Executive Director of Diversity and Inclusion in the Office of Planning and Programs, before being promoted to Director of Planning and Programs in November 2021.
Dr. Mitchell has a doctor of philosophy from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, a master of public administration from LSU and a bachelor of science in biological sciences from Southern University. Prior to serving in Gov. Edwards’ administration, she was the Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs in the Office of Diversity at LSU for many years.
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New Fact Sheet About the Pandemic and Compensatory Services for Students with Disabilities
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In the new fact sheet, OCR reminds schools that even with the unique challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, students with disabilities retain their right to FAPE under Section 504. If a student with a disability did not receive appropriate evaluations or services, then schools must determine whether, and to what extent, compensatory services are required. The fact sheet includes factors to consider when determining the appropriate type and amount of compensatory services and makes clear that providing compensatory services to a student does not draw into question a school’s good faith efforts during these difficult circumstances. It is a remedy that recognizes the reality that students experience injury when they do not receive appropriate and timely initial evaluations, re-evaluations, or services, regardless of the reason.
Today’s resource builds on OCR’s efforts to protect students’ civil rights, and to assist schools in responding to COVID-19, consistent with President Biden’s Executive Order on Supporting the Reopening and Continuing Operation of Schools and Early Childhood Education Providers. We ask that you share the fact sheet with your networks.
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Louisiana Coalition to host Webinar Series in Honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month |
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In 1987 President Ronald Regan signed Proclamation 5613, declaring March 1987 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Since 1987, March has been recognized as DD Awareness Month—a time to recognize the awe-inspiring achievements of the DD community, and to raise awareness about the barriers those with disabilities still face in everyday life. Governor John Bel Edwards has proclaimed March 2022 as Developmental Disabilities Month in Louisiana.
As part of DD Awareness month, Louisiana Department of Health’s Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, Governor’s Office of Disabilities Affairs, Arc of Louisiana, People First of Louisiana, Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council and Special Needs and Parent Support Services of LA will be hosting a series of panel discussions aimed at increasing awareness of topics important to the developmental disability community. The webinar series starting March 11, 2022 will highlight what it is like living with a developmental disability, triumphs and successes, and ways to become an ally to those living with I/DD.
The dates and topics are:
Employing Individuals with Disabilities – Friday, March 11;10:30–11:30 AM
Inclusion and Self Determination – Friday, March 18; 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Community Success Stories – Friday, March 25; 10:30 – 11:30 AM
You can join any or all of the three webinars by accessing the link below:
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Administration Announces New Actions to Address the Needs of People with Disabilities and Older Adults in Response to and Recovery from COVID-19
The Administration recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has had tremendous impacts on disabled individuals and has resulted in new members of the disability community.
Over the past year, the Administration has collaborated and consulted with the disability community and taken several key actions to address the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. Among other actions, the U.S. government released key civil rights guidance to protect disabled individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic or any public health emergency; prioritized Long COVID services, supports, and research in the context of disability; established a call line dedicated to ensuring individuals with disabilities can equitably utilize the Administration’s at-home test distribution program; ensured disabled individuals and other high-risk individuals have access to at-home testing; and invested American Rescue Plan (ARP) resources to build COVID-19 vaccine confidence and access among people with disabilities.
Moving forward, the Administration will take several key steps to further our work to ensure that disabled individuals, regardless of where they live or the level of community transmission of the virus, have equitable access to COVID-19 testing, masks, and other critical mitigation strategies. The Administration remains committed to implementing these policies and developing additional policies in close collaboration with the disability community – keeping equity and accessibility at the center of our COVID-19 response and beyond. The Administration will:
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Equip schools with guidance and support to keep vulnerable students safe and learning in-person. The Department of Education (ED) will work with school administrators and educators on strategies they can use to continue providing safe, in-person instruction for all students in their classes. ED will engage the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure that its guidance is fully aligned with the latest public health guidance and that schools have clear recommendations and strategies to help protect the safety of and access to rigorous learning that all children deserve. ED will also provide resources for parents who would like additional support in understanding how to navigate their child’s in-person learning experience through local regional parent training and information centers. Parents may find their local center here and reach out for direct assistance and referrals to other organizations, as well as to gain skills to effectively participate in the education and development of their children. States and school districts should use the unprecedented resources provided through the ARP to implement these recommendations and ensure access to a high-quality education for all students, including students with disabilities. Children learn best in-person, and are better able to engage with rigorous instruction and access services and supports tailored to their needs when they are learning alongside their peers. The President has been clear since Day One that we need students back to school for full-time, in-person learning, and thanks to the unprecedented resources provided through the ARP, schools have what they need to safely remain open, keep students and staff safe, and address the impact of the pandemic on student learning and mental health. Some students may need additional protections to ensure they can remain safe in the classroom – including students who are immunocompromised, with complex medical conditions, or with other disabilities that may put them at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. For nearly two years, educators across the country have provided services and supports to children with disabilities in ways never anticipated prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Administration is committed to ensuring that children with disabilities continue to receive the services and supports they need so they can reach their highest potential.
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Expand the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Community Living’s Disability Information and Access Line to support people with disabilities who face difficulty using or cannot use a self-test. The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL), available at 1-888-677-1199, is launching a new initiative to support disabled individuals who need assistance using at-home tests distributed by the Administration or support in finding alternatives to at-home testing. For individuals who can use an at-home test, DIAL operators are available to assist with ordering free tests; understanding instructions for test administration and test results; or providing alternative instructions for those unable to access, read, or understand the manufacturer’s version. For those who cannot use an at-home test, DIAL operators can assist individuals with ordering tests to collect a specimen that can be mailed back for results. For individuals who cannot use either an at-home test or an alternative “swab and send” test, DIAL operators can assist callers with locating their state or local health department and/or aging and disability resources for additional assistance with other testing options that may be available in their community, including identifying potential in-home testing options or assistance with transportation or companion support to visit a community-based testing site.
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Launch new COVID-19 testing guidance in American Sign Language and review all existing COVID-19 guidance to confirm accessibility for all disabled individuals. CDC recently released “How to Interpret Positive Self-Test Results” guidance in American Sign Language (ASL), a first step towards ensuring that deaf or hard of hearing individuals can access key information about how to protect themselves and their communities. CDC is also collaborating with the CDC Foundation, Georgia Tech’s Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation, and their partners across HHS to pursue key improvements for all COVID-19 guidance available on CDC’s website that cannot be accessed elsewhere: information in Braille, ASL translation, simplified text, and other alternative formats.
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Execute a new effort to develop at-home COVID-19 tests that are accessible to all. The National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s RADx program has launched a new effort to seek both short- and long-term solutions to improve at-home test accessibility. RADx will consult and work with national organizations who represent communities in need of accessible tests, and test manufacturers to inform the modification or development of more accessible at-home tests, including device design, packaging, and modes of instruction, and challenges. Though at-home COVID-19 tests were only invented last year, the Administration’s investment in this technology has rapidly scaled up manufacturing to the millions per day. This effort strives to ensure that all individuals have an option for at-home testing that can be used and interpreted without assistance, and will set the course towards accessible testing in the weeks and months to come.
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Incentivize all at-home test manufacturers to prioritize accessibility of at-home tests. The Administration has published a formal Request for Information (RFI) to ensure the preservation and expansion of current domestic manufacturing capacities for at-home rapid tests and point-of-care tests. The RFI specifically asks manufacturers to prioritize the accessibility of at-home tests for people who are blind or visually-impaired; individuals with physical, cognitive, or other disabilities; and individuals who need non-English language or literacy support. The Administration will use the information gathered in March 2022 to inform near-term investments – towards ensuring that accessible at-home tests are available for federal purchase.
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Request accessible instructions from manufacturers who have received a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The FDA has reached out to all test developers that have received an EUA to request that they provide instructions that are accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including alternative text for all images as well as html versions. FDA will use all authority available to receive these accessible instructions as quickly as possible, while working with RADx to identify other wraparound services that can be provided immediately to make existing at-home tests more accessible.
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Distribute masks to disabled individuals through community-based organizations and jurisdictions. HHS will support health centers and aging and disability networks as they collaborate on efforts to distribute N95 masks to individuals with disabilities who cannot leave their homes. As the President announced in January 2022, the Administration is making 400 million N95 masks from the Strategic National Stockpile available to all individuals in the United States for free. HHS is sending tens of millions of free, high-quality masks to community health centers and rural health clinics – organizations that play a critical role in serving communities across the country, including individuals with disabilities.
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Call on states to directly distribute high-quality masks through community-based organizations serving individuals with disabilities.Over the past year, the Administration has also sent millions of high-quality masks to states and territories across the country. We encourage all jurisdictions to work in partnership with community-based organizations to expand access for the hardest-hit and highest-risk individuals – including people with disabilities who may be unable to leave their homes.
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Online Grocery Purchasing Available for Louisiana EBT Cardholders |
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Louisiana households currently receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly known as Food Stamps, can now order groceries online at Walmart stores throughout Louisiana. This is an important and beneficial option for many people with disabilities.
While Walmart is the first retailer to receive approval through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service online purchasing program, DCFS officials expect the program to rapidly spread to other retailers.
EBT online grocery purchasing extends to other program recipients that make food purchases using EBT cards -- Pandemic EBT (P-EBT), the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) or cash assistance, Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP), and Disaster-SNAP (DSNAP). Recipients can shop and pay for eligible foods online using their EBT cards. They can also arrange for delivery, if available in their area, although they will have to pay for delivery services through a separate form of payment. SNAP benefits cannot be used for delivery fees and other associated charges.
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Governor John Bel Edwards has proclaimed the month of March as Brain Injury Awareness Month in the State of Louisiana.
Brain Injury Awareness Month, recognized each March, provides an important opportunity to bring attention to the prevention of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to promote strategies to improve the quality of life for persons living with TBI and their families. For more information about Brain Injury, visit https://www.biausa.org/.
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Brain Injury Association of Louisiana / United Spinal Association LA Chapter:
2022 Conference Information
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Are you seeking legal assistance for Hurricane Ida recovery issues? |
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Exceptional Lives Webinars |
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Exceptional Lives will be hosting webinars that will run through April 2022. The topics are geared to families, particularly those of color, and caregivers of both children and young adults with disabilities. Hear from providers and educators on topics like building life skills, addressing mental health, becoming a great parent advocate, and the crossed paths of Black history and disability history. Take a look at the entire list of webinars on the Webinar Page. All webinars are FREE. Pre-registration is required.
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LaCAN Legislative Roundtables |
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The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council’s 2022 Legislative Advocacy Agenda is being shared across the state at virtual LaCAN Regional Roundtables. Individuals with disabilities, their families, and advocates are urged to attend to learn more about the Council's advocacy agenda and how to participate in other advocacy events such as legislative visits, yellow shirt days, and public testimony.
Take advantage of this great opportunity to learn about activism and remotely engage with your local legislators.
The following is a list of the dates, times, and LaCAN Leader contact information. Meetings in other regions took place during February. For full list of LACAN leaders across the state, click here.
Region 1
Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, & St. Bernard Parishes
(504) 943-0343 | (877) 243-7352
Region 3
Assumption, Lafourche, St. James, St. John, Terrebonne, St. Charles, & St. Mary Parishes
Thursday, March 10, 2022 | 10:00am | Register at this link
(985) 447-4461 | (800) 331-5570
Region 5
Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, & Cameron Parishes
(337) 436-2570 | (800) 894-6558
Region 7
Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River, Claiborne, Sabine, & Webster Parishes
Thursday, March 3, 2022 | 10:00am | Register at this link
(318) 560-3629 | (877) 226-4541
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LDOE Seeking Input for IDEA Application Development |
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All students deserve an education that prepares them for postsecondary success and a lifetime of unlimited opportunity. To ensure we support students with disabilities in this endeavor, each year the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) submits a grant application to the U.S. Department of Education for state set aside funding through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The LDOE is seeking feedback from members of various Special Education stakeholder communities, which will help the LDOE better understand what activities the public views as important as we develop the comprehensive IDEA grant application for the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 22. This survey should take you no more than five minutes to complete and does not request any personally identifiable information. Please complete this survey by Friday, March 11, 2022.
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Hang out with Steven Nguyen and all the Youth 16-26 in Louisiana. Make friends from all over the state, share experiences, and learn from each other. If you've registered previously, no need to register again, Steven will email you the date and time before each event. If you did not register and are new to the group, register at http://bit.ly/YouthHangouts
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The 2022 Regular Legislative Session will convene on Monday, March 14 at the Louisiana State Capitol.
Click here to visit the Louisiana Legislative webpage.
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