The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council adopted its 2025 Legislative Advocacy Agenda with input from its grassroots advocacy network LaCAN (Louisiana Council’s Advocacy Network), Families Helping Families (FHF) Centers and various stakeholders throughout the disability community. Thank you to all who shared their ideas and agenda recommendations with the Council.

2025 Legislative Advocacy Agenda

1. The Council will advocate to protect all services for people with disabilities and the elderly from any cuts to the service delivery system. For months, it has been reported that Louisiana is facing another budget shortfall, anywhere between $400 and $700 million, in the upcoming fiscal year. The legislature met in November to address tax reform in hopes of also positively impacting next fiscal year’s budget. Legislators voted to reduce personal and corporate income taxes, repeal some tax exemptions, and increase the state’s sales tax by .55%. At this time, opinions are still mixed on whether the decisions made at the Capitol will completely address the estimated budget shortfall next year or in future years. What we do know is any reduction to the state’s revenue and/or operating budget could mean cuts to disability services. Protect Disability Services from Cuts.
2. The Council will also advocate to restore funding for the nine Families Helping Families (FHF) Regional Resource Centers it contracts with. During the last four legislative sessions, $500,000 was added to the Council’s budget specifically for FHF Centers. Unfortunately, the Council’s request to include this funding in its Fiscal Year 2026 budget was denied resulting in a possible 50% cut to Centers if the legislature does not appropriate the funding during the upcoming session.

          Restore Funding for Families Helping Families Regional Resource Centers

All factsheets are posted on the Council’s website and will be updated as needed throughout the legislative session.

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