The Council believes that people with developmental disabilities should be supported in reaching their full developmental and educational potential. All infants and young children with developmental disabilities should have access to early intervention services and supports. All students should have access to appropriate and inclusive education.
Current Initiatives
Education and Early Intervention Advocacy Initiatives
The Council advocates for children with developmental disabilities to have access to quality, individualized educational programs that address their unique skills, interests and goals in inclusive environments. The Council strives for students with disabilties to be considered from the initial phases to the completion of planning and program development of educational policities and initiatives.
Past Initiatives
LATEACH
LaTEACHLaTEACH and LaCAN merged in October 2016.
LaTEACH (Louisiana Together Educating ALL Children) was a statewide grassroots advocacy network between October 2004 through September 2016 for the purpose of effecting systems change. LaTEACH promoted appropriate, inclusive education for all students. LaTEACH works to make parents, educators, the general public, and state leadership informed and supportive of research-based and effective practices used appropriately for each student.
Inclusive Schools Art Contest
Inclusive Schools Art Contest was sponsored by the Council in collaboration with LaTEACH, the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs, the Louisiana Department of Education and other organizations to promote inclusion.
The Autism Early Behavioral Intervention Project
The Autism Early Behavioral Intervention Project is a model program designed to build the capacity of EarlySteps in providing evidence-based interventions for young children with autism. The Autism Project is a joint effort between LSU’s Human Development Center, the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities and the DD Council.
Early Intervention Primary Service Provider Model program
The Early Intervention Primary Service Provider (PSP) Model program seeks to improve developmental outcomes of children participating in EarlySteps. The PSP Model will be implemented as a demonstration project in Region 2 (Baton Rouge area) to provide knowledge and skill building activities to families and childcare providers to provide interventions based on Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). The project expanded data collection activities into Livingston Parish.