Families Helping Families of Acadiana
Serving Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin and Vermilion parishes
Mission Statement:
To assist and strengthen individuals with disabilities and their families through a coordinated network of resources, services and supports.
Families Helping Families is a coordinated network of ten non-profit resource centers located throughout the state of Louisiana that provide information and referrals, family peer support, education services and resources for all people with disabilities and their families. It is a place families can go that is directed and staffed by parents or family members of individuals with disabilities. It also serves as a resource for professionals.
In the early 1990s, the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) sponsored a conference that focused on community supports and services for people with disabilities. The conference was attended by many parents who wanted their children with disabilities to be fully included in all areas of their home communities. During the close of the conference, one parent asked if the chart listing the participant’s ideas could serve some purpose other than covering the walls. The DD Council took the challenge and gathered information to write legislation that resulted in Act 378 of 1989, known as the Community and Family Support Act.
Since its inception, Families Helping Families has helped thousands of families receive help in connecting to services and understand their rights and responsibilities. It has also given families the opportunity to talk to someone who has been in their shoes. The DD Council has supported the centers throughout the years and continues to be one of their main supporters with funds and technical assistance. Families Helping Families now has contracts with many entities such as Children’s Special Health Services, Louisiana Department of Education, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, Office of Mental Health, Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund, F2HIC, Early Childhood Supports & Services and EarlySteps.
Every center builds its program based on the needs in its own region. However, the common thread among all centers is dedication to all people with disabilities and their families.
It’s who we are. It’s what we do.
Families Helping Families of Acadiana
in collaboration with
The Autism Society of Acadiana
presents
"Raising Temple Grandin - A Family Affair"
A LIVE VIDEO CONFERENCE WITH EUSTACIA CUTLER
(Temple Grandin's mother)
Don't miss this exciting opportunity to hear a leading expert on autism speak on raising one of the most successful persons in the world with autism.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
12:00 - 3:00 PM
at the Autism Society of Acadiana office
3108 W. Pinhook Rd.
Lafayette LA
SEATING IS VERY LIMITED - RSVP TODAY
Bambi Polotzola
337-945-0979
bambi4chas@bellsouth.net
Families Helping Families of Acadiana's supporters include:
- Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council
- Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities
- LA State Department of Education
PDFs require Adobe® Reader. It can be downloaded for free at
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