LaDDC 2025 Legislative Advocacy Agenda

December 12, 2024

Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council 2025 Legislative Agenda

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

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.
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.

Click for more information and to learn how to get involved.

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Thank You for Making Active for Autism 2025 a Huge Success!

May 13, 2025

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.