News

A community-wide celebration promoting awareness, inclusion, and support for individuals with autism and their families

Your voice matters — and now is the time to use it.

Celebrating the families, caregivers, and self-advocates who lead with love every day.

What Families Need to Know About the February 18, 2026 Changes

Keeping SNAP Benefits Flowing During the Federal Shutdown

Benefits Paused Starting November 1st Due to Federal Shutdown

A step forward in reducing testing time while keeping high academic standards

Students with disa bilities need your voice!

Paper checks ending September 30, 2025 – Families encouraged to switch now

Families can take action now to defend hard-won disability rights

We’re still smiling from Active for Autism 2025 — and it’s all thanks to YOU! Whether you walked, ran, sponsored, volunteered, donated, or simply cheered us on, you helped make this year’s event one of the most impactful yet. Thanks to your incredible support, we raised $ 87,153.43 (and counting!) , marking a 24 % increase from last year. Every dollar goes directly toward programs and services that inform, support, and connect families of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities across our community. The energy on event day was unmatched — from families walking hand-in-hand, to kids enjoying the Fun Fest, to teams showing up in vibrant shirts and big smiles. Your presence showed the true power of community. We are beyond grateful to our: Participants who showed up with passion and purpose Sponsors who helped make the event possible Vendors who brought fun and resources to the day Donors who gave generously Volunteers who offered their time, heart, and hands A Special Thank You to Our Co-Sponsors We are especially thankful for our co-sponsors whose generous support elevated this event: Enbridge, 100.7 The Tiger, and Ochsner’s Children’s . Your partnership helped amplify our mission and impact. Thank you for standing with us! Thank You to All Our Sponsors We are grateful to all of our sponsors who make this event possible year after year. Your generosity directly supports families and individuals in our community. 2025 Active for Autism Sponsors: Presenting Platinum Sponsors: Enbridge, 100.7 The Tiger, and Ochsner Children’s Hospital Gold Sponsors: REV, The Nirel Group Foundation Silver Sponsors: Olivier Group, Behavior Intervention Group, Louisiana Blue, Hood Container Corporation, and Mayor-President Sid Edwards Bronze Sponsors: BREC, Associates in Pediatric Dentistry, Wampold Companies, ACE Enterprises Inc., Ascent Behavior Therapy Center, Williams Photography, and Maughan Law Firm Patron Sponsors: BearCom of Baton Rouge, Gulf South Autism Center, The Baton Rouge Clinic AMC, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, Mercy Autism Center, Kidder & Schultz CPA LLC Governmental Supporters : State Senator Regina Barrow, Iberville Parish, and West Baton Rouge Parish Together, we’re making real change — not just during this event, but every day of the year. 📅 Mark your calendar : Active for Autism 2026 will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026 . We can’t wait to celebrate and walk alongside you again. From all of us at Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge: Thank you for helping us keep families informed, supported, and connected. We are families helping families. That’s what we do. That’s who we are.

Register now for the annual Active for Autism 5k Run/Walk and Family Fun Fest!

In Honor of Carolyn "Kay" Lewis

Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council 2025 Legislative Agenda

Changes to Accessing In-Person Services

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley announces immediate 20% reduction in LEAP testing time, commitment to further reductions

Social Security Implements Changes to SSI Program

Back to School Parenting Points for Children with Special Needs

Families Advised to Watch for Plain White Envelope in Child’s Name

Pediatricians Get Guidance on Dental Care for Children with Developmental Disabilities

OCR Released New Resources for Families regarding Sickle Cell, Cancer, and Epilepsy

LOUISIANA SETS HIGHER EXPECTATIONS, INCREASES VALUE OF CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS WITH REVISED ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM 

Summer is almost here and that means longer days, fun in the sun, and best of all for kids, no homework! For some Louisiana students receiving free or reduced-price school lunches, summer also means the loss of nutritious school meals. In addition to the newly expanded summer feeding options, SUN Bucks help fill that gap by providing grocery benefits to help families put meals on the table when schools are closed. WHAT ARE SUN BUCKS? Starting in summer 2024, Louisiana SUN Bucks, also referred to as Summer EBT, will provide families with $120 for each eligible school-aged child (5 to 18 years old) to buy groceries during the summer break. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SUN BUCKS? Most eligible families will get SUN Bucks automatically, but some parents will need to apply. The following children are eligible to receive SUN Bucks summer benefits and will be automatically enrolled in the program. There is no need to apply.  Children whose families received SNAP , Family Independence Temporary Assistance (FITAP), or Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) benefits during the 2023-24 school year. Children receiving Medicaid (with household income below 185% of the federal poverty level). Children who applied and were individually approved to receive free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). These children may be eligible to receive SUN Bucks but must apply to determine eligibility: Children experiencing homelessness. Migrant children. Children who receive free or reduced-price lunch, but did not complete an application. Even if your family doesn’t fall into one of the categories listed above, your child may still be eligible for SUN Bucks based on your family’s income. HOW ARE SUN BUCKS ISSUED? The SUN Bucks program will be rolled out in three phases beginning in late June 2024. Phase 1: Launching in June 2024! Children who received SNAP benefits during the 2023-2024 school year are eligible for streamlined certification and will be automatically enrolled. SUN Bucks benefits will be added to their existing SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card beginning in the second half of June 2024. Visit DCFS website for more information and updates on phase 2 and phase 3 roll outs.

Legislative Auditor Report - LDOE Special Education Services

A panel of stakeholders crafted a consensus statement aimed at removing barriers to health care for youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

A Massachusetts father wants the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on whether he has a First Amendment right to video record individualized education program meetings with his child's school district.

Social Security Announces Four Key Updates to Address Improper Payments

EBR SPED Names Special Master

ACTION ALERT - Special Education Advisory Panel Members Dismissed

Active for Autism 2024

Louisiana Department of Education Seeks Input on 2024-25 IDEA Application

U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Releases New Resources on Students with Disabilities

Disability advocates want the FDA to issue a new ban on the use of electrical stimulation devices to address self-injurious or aggressive behaviors.

How Do Co-Occurring Conditions Affect Those With Autism? Government Panel Wants to Know

LaCAN Action Alert - Governor Landry Issues LEAP Appeals Executive Order

New Website to Help Young People with I/DD Transition to Adult Health Care

Benefit card skimmers found at multiple locations in Louisiana

ED Department Finds Students with Disabilities Disproportionately Disciplined

HUD No. 23-235 FOR RELEASE HUD Public Affairs Thursday (202) 708-0685 October 12, 2023 HUD Announces $212 Million Funding Opportunity to Expand Affordable Housing Options for Persons with Disabilities Funding provides capital to produce new or rehabilitate existing housing along with project rental assistance to support very-low and extremely low income-persons with disabilities WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Multifamily Housing announced today that $212 million in funding is available to expand the supply of affordable housing and supportive services for very-low and extremely-low-income persons with disabilities. The funding is available to participants in the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program, which helps develop, subsidize, and provide supportive services for rental housing to meet the needs of this vulnerable population. “Every American should have the ability to live in affordable housing that caters to their needs. Unfortunately, today, far too many housing options are inaccessible to those with disabilities – and those with the appropriate accommodations are often too expensive,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “This announcement delivers serious progress, making $212 million available to expand housing supply and supportive services for low-income folks with disabilities.” Through the Section 811 Capital Advance/Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC) program, $106 million in capital advances can be used for the development of new or rehabilitation of existing supportive housing, along with project rental subsidies to keep homes affordable.  The Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) provides $106 million to state housing and other agencies for project rental assistance to cover the difference between the tenants’ contributions toward rental payments and the HUD-approved rent for the property for eligible tenants with disabilities. “The goal is to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to live with dignity and independently within an integrated community that provides them with access to appropriate supportive services that they choose,” said Ethan Handelman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Programs. “This funding is a small but important part of HUD’s overall commitment to meeting the housing needs of all communities.” For more information, read the funding notices for the Section 811 Capital Advance Program and Section 811 Project Rental Assistance . Applications must be submitted by February 8, 2024. About the Section 811 Program Section 811 allows persons with disabilities to live as independently as possible in the community by subsidizing rental housing which provides access to appropriate supportive services. The Section 811 Capital Advance Program aims to expand the supply of integrated affordable housing by providing Capital Advance funding for the development of permanent supportive rental housing for very-low-income (those earning 50 percent or less of the area median income) with disabilities who are 18 years of age or older and less than 62 years of age at entry. The program also provides project rental subsidies in the form of a Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC) to maintain ongoing affordability over at least the next forty years. The primary purpose of the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) Program is to identify, stimulate, and support innovative state-level strategies that will transform and increase housing for extremely low-income persons (those earning 30 percent or less of area median income) with disabilities while also making available appropriate support and services. HUD is seeking to support collaborations between State Housing and Health and Human Service/Medicaid Agencies that will result in or will increase access to affordable permanent supportive housing units – new and existing – with access to appropriate services. ###

RELEASE: LOUISIANA STATE SUPERINTENDENT RELEASES STATEMENT OPPOSING BESE’S GRADUATION APPEALS PROCESS

Federal Panel Pressured to Focus More on Profound Autism

Press Release Thursday, October 12, 2023 For Immediate Release Mark Hinkle, Press Officer press.office@ssa.gov  Social Security Announces 3.2 Percent Benefit Increase for 2024 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 71 million Americans will increase 3.2 percent in 2024, the Social Security Administration announced today. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by more than $50 per month starting in January. More than 66 million Social Security beneficiaries will see the 3.2 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) beginning in January 2024. Increased payments to approximately 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 29, 2023. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits). “Social Security and SSI benefits will increase in 2024, and this will help millions of people keep up with expenses,” said Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $168,600 from $160,200. Social Security begins notifying people about their new benefit amount by mail starting in early December. Individuals who have a personal my Social Security account can view their COLA notice online, which is secure, easy, and faster than receiving a letter in the mail. People can set up text or email alerts when there is a new message--such as their COLA notice--waiting for them in my Social Security . People will need to have a my Social Security account by November 14 to see their COLA notice online. To get started, visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount . Information about Medicare changes for 2024 will be available at www.medicare.gov . For Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, their new 2024 benefit amount will be available in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security's Message Center. The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. To read more, please visit www.ssa.gov/cola . NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS: Here is a fact sheet showing the effect of the various automatic adjustments. To get more Social Security news, follow the Press Office on Twitter @SSAPress .

COMPLAINT PROCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES RECEIVING SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 

Louisiana Department of Education Awarded $10 Million to Improve Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

In Louisiana, as in many other states, there has been a growing effort to provide inclusive postsecondary education opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These programs are designed to offer these students a college experience and help them develop academic, vocational, and social skills as they prepare to become contributing members of society. Louisiana Alliance of Inclusive Postsecondary Education (LAPIE) was formed in 2019 as the result of funding from the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council awarded to Southeastern Louisiana University. The primary goal of LAPIE was to increase the number of inclusive postsecondary programs at institutions of higher education (IHE). In 2019, there were three 4-year universities and two 2-year community colleges offering programs representing only seven percent of the public IHE in Louisiana. At this time these programs had an approximately 47% acceptance rate due to limited spaces at each program. Act 682 of the 2022 Regular Legislative Session created the Postsecondary Inclusive Education Fund and the Postsecondary Inclusive Education Advisory Council. The Council was established under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents for the purpose of advising the Board with respect to inclusive programs for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities and methods to fund ($1 million) and expand inclusive programs in Louisiana. During the 2023 Regular Legislative Session, an additional $1 million was added to PIEF. All five existing programs received enhancement grants and four IHE received funding to start new programs. Currently, Louisiana has 9 IHEs offering inclusive postsecondary education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities representing 14% of the public IHE in Louisiana. Here are some key points about inclusive postsecondary education programs in Louisiana: 1. Think College Initiative: Louisiana is part of the national Think College initiative, which promotes postsecondary education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Think College provides resources, training, and technical assistance to colleges and universities to help them create inclusive programs. 2. Participating Institutions: Several colleges and universities in Louisiana have established inclusive postsecondary education programs. These institutions may offer different types of programs and services for students with intellectual disabilities: Baton Rouge Community College, Bossier Parish Community College, Nicholls State University, Louisiana State University-Alexandria & Main Campus, Southern University in New Orleans, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Monroe. 3. Program Components: Inclusive postsecondary education programs typically include the following components: · Academic Courses: Students with intellectual disabilities have the opportunity to audit or enroll in regular college courses. These courses may be modified to suit the students' needs and interests. · Career and Vocational Training: Many programs offer vocational training and internships to help students develop job skills and gain real-world work experience. · Social and Life Skills: Students receive support and training in areas like communication, social interaction, and independent living skills. · Peer Mentorship: Some programs pair students with intellectual disabilities with peer mentors who provide academic and social support. · Individualized Plans: Each student typically has an individualized plan that outlines their goals and the services and accommodations they will receive. 4. Funding: Funding for these programs may come from various sources, including federal grants, state funds, and tuition paid by students and their families. The Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) agency may also provide support for eligible students. 5. Transition Services: Inclusive postsecondary education programs often serve as a bridge between high school and adulthood for students with intellectual disabilities. They help students transition from the school system to the workforce and independent living. 6. Outcomes: The success of these programs is often measured by the students' academic progress, employment rates, and their ability to live more independently after completing the program. In 2022, 83 individuals with disabilities had completed their programs with 75% gaining competitive employment. 7. Advocacy and Support: Families, advocacy groups, and disability service organizations in Louisiana play a crucial role in advocating for the expansion and improvement of inclusive postsecondary education programs in the state. To get more specific and up-to-date information on inclusive postsecondary education programs in Louisiana, including program availability, admission criteria, and services offered or to start a new program, please visit Board of Regents Website , LAPIE Website , or LAPIEalliance@southeastern.edu . Dr. Gerlinde Beckers, Professor LAPIE, Facilitator Watch this video of Louisiana Alliance of Inclusive Postsecondary Education .

LDOE Awarded $55 Million to Increase School Choice Options for Families

The Southern Poverty Law Center has created a guide, "Helping Your Child With a Disability Get a Good Education," to help parents of children with disabilities. Children with disabilities have a unique set of requirements in order to thrive in any setting, including the classroom. They are legally obligated to be served in a way that suits them best. Their parents and guardians have a vital role to play. These children are guaranteed a “free, appropriate public education” — at no cost to their parents — that meets their unique educational needs. This right is guaranteed under a federal law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The process of securing a good education for a child with disabilities is not an easy one. At times, it can seem overwhelming. These state-specific guides will help parents through it. English | Español | اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ | Kreyól ayisyen | Tiếng Việt

Parent Notification: "In God We Trust" Signs Posted in LA Public Schools

IF YOU ARE:  the parent, guardian, or caregiver of at least one child under the age of 4, currently live in Louisiana or have lived in Louisiana in the past 4 years Have gone to some or all of your child's check-ups with a doctor or nurse in Louisiana. PROJECT SOAR WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU! Project SOAR (Screen Often and Accurately Refer) is a project led by the Louisiana Department of Health. With the help of parents, guardians, and caregivers, Project SOAR hopes to make sure screening and follow-up are happening in ways that work best for Louisiana families. This project will partner with families like yours, healthcare providers (doctors/nurses), and community organizations to learn about experiences with developmental screening, caregiver depression screening, and follow-up during your child's check-up visits. Developmental Screening is when your child's doctor or nurse asks questions about how your child plays, learns, communicates, acts, and moves. Caregiver depression screening is when your doctor or nurse asks questions about your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Follow-up is when your doctor or nurse gives you the screening results, explains what they mean, and talks about the next steps. You should participate in Project SOAR if you'd like to: Share your experiences with screening and check-ups and ideas for the future. Fill out surveys or take part in group discussions with other families. You can choose virtual or in-person settings. Get PAID for your time and input. Be a part of positive change for all Louisiana families. CONNECT WITH PROJECT SOAR TODAY!