Derek’s Promise Taskforce Meeting Notice

The Derek’s Promise Task Force will meet on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will be held online through Microsoft Teams.

The task force was created during the 2026 Regular Legislative Session through House Concurrent Resolution 67 (HCR 67) by Representative Rhonda Butler.

The task force is studying ways to improve healthcare and crisis services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

What is the Derek’s Promise Task Force?

The task force is looking at problems people with I/DD may face when they need urgent medical care or other support during a crisis.

This includes:

• Problems getting the right care before a hospital visit is needed;
• Emergency room visits and hospital stays that may be preventable;
• Delays in leaving the hospital because needed services are not available;
• Gaps in Medicaid or waiver services;
• Shortages of nurses, providers, and other trained staff;
• Access to crisis services; and
• Better coordination between hospitals, healthcare providers, behavioral health providers, and community services.

The task force will use what it learns to make recommendations for improving services and supports for people with I/DD.

Your Voice is Important

The task force wants to hear from people who have experience with these issues.

This may include:

• People with I/DD;
• Family members and caregivers;
• Disability advocates;
• Community service providers;
• Healthcare professionals; and
• Others who support people with I/DD.

If you or someone you support has had problems getting medical care during a crisis, leaving the hospital, getting needed services, or coordinating care, this meeting may be important to you.

Stakeholders are encouraged to attend and follow the work of the task force.

Meeting Information

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Online through Microsoft Teams

Join the Meeting:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/294980028054468?p=pTrwq3p39FrMkiYuzf

This will be the task force’s second meeting. The first meeting was held in September.

Meeting Materials

The Council is also sharing materials to help people learn more about the task force and prepare for the meeting:

• Agenda for the October 13 meeting
• Presentation from the September meeting
• Minutes from the September meeting

These materials can help you understand what the task force has discussed and what may be covered at the next meeting.

Learn More

You can also read HCR 67, which created the Derek’s Promise Task Force and explains what the group is studying.View HCR 67 on the Louisiana Legislature website.