Action Alert #10 State’s Budget Moves to House Floor

House Appropriations passes budget with changes (amendments). Next step: House floor!

Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee passed an amended version of House Bill 1 (HB1). This budget would begin July 1^st.

Here is what was included and not included, based on the issues LaCAN and the DD Council have been following:

What Was Included

• $250,000 in funding restored for Families Helping Families (FHF) Regional Resource Centers
• $2 million added for Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS)

What Was Not Included

• No funding to increase Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) rates
• No funding to increase Direct Support Worker (DSW) pay
• LRS did not receive the full $6.8 million needed to access all available federal funds

The budget will now move to the full House of Representatives for debate and a vote on Thursday, April 16^th.

More details about these issues can be found after the “How to Take Action” section.

How to Take Action

Let your State Representative know how these issues affect you and whether you think they should be funded.

Email or call your State Representative before Thursday, April 16^th.

• State Representative full contact information.
• Don’t know your Representative? Click HERE and enter your home address.
• The first person listed will be your Representative.

When sharing comments, it helps to include:

• Your name
• Your contact information
• The topic you are writing about (HCBS rates, DSW pay, FHF Centers, LRS, etc.)
• A short description of your experience or concerns

Contact your LaCAN Leader if you need help with this alert or want more information.

Meetings can be watched live on the Louisiana Legislature’s website. A link will appear when the meeting begins.ng live on the Louisiana Legislature’s website. When the meeting begins, a link will appear to watch it.

More Information

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) rates and Direct Support Worker (DSW) Pay

• HCBS help people with disabilities live in their homes and communities.
• Many services depend on DSWs who provide daily help and support.
• A recent rate study found about $53.6 million in state general funds would be needed to increase service rates and DSW pay.
• LDH told House Appropriations members they need more information and do not plan to address this issue until next year.
• Advocates thought the rate study would help lead to changes this year. They are concerned the delay may make the DSW shortage last longer and affect services.
• This issue in the budget is in Schedule 9 – Louisiana Department of Health.
• No funding for this is included in the proposed budget.
• Click HERE for more information.

Families Helping Families (FHF) Regional Resource Centers

• The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council provides state funding to FHF Centers across the state.
• The proposed budget restores the $250,000 cut to FHF funding.
• This issue in the budget is in Schedule 9 – Louisiana Department of Health.
• Click HERE for more information.

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS)

• LRS helps people with disabilities prepare for work, find jobs and keep jobs.
• Louisiana does not provide enough state matching funds for LRS to access all available federal funding.
• It was reported $72 – $74 million would be available next year.
• We’ve missed out on $155 million in federal funds over the last five years.
• $6.8 million in state general funds would allow the state to access all federal funding.
• $2 million was added to the proposed budget for LRS.
• This issue in the budget is in Schedule 14 – Louisiana Works.
• Click HERE for more information.

Reminder: Other Action Alerts

LaCAN currently has several alerts to help keep you informed. Don’t forget to take action!

Action Alert #8 – Emergency Alert for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Senate Bill 34 (SB34) by Sen. McMath would update current alert laws in Louisiana (like Amber Alert and Silver Alert). It would make sure adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) get special attention if they wander or go missing.

This bill could be heard on the Senate floor at any time.

Contact your State Senator today.

Action Alert #9 – Spectrum Alert Act
House Bill 74 (HB74) by Rep. Echols would create a new emergency alert for children with autism who wander or go missing. Unlike SB34, this bill only covers children with autism and does not include adults or people with other I/DD diagnoses.

This bill will be heard in the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday, April 15th.

Contact committee members today.

Confirm Your Action

• Email your LaCAN Leader after you take action
• Why confirm your action? This helps the Council know how effective we are reaching you with important information and engaging members across our state in advocacy for systems change.

Tips & Tools for Advocacy

Looking for tips and tools to help you in your advocacy? Check out the Council’s Advocacy 101 page. You can also find tips for:

• Writing/emailing your legislators
• Calling your legislators
• Writing your story