Resources for families

 The Acadiana Area Human Services District (AAHSD) was created by the Louisiana State Legislature under the provisions of the Louisiana revised statutes (LSA-RS): R.S. 373 to provide administration, management, and operation of behavioral health (addictive disorders and mental health) and developmental disabilities services to the residents of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin and Vermilion parishes. 

 Families Helping Families of Acadiana is one of ten 501©3 non-profit resource centers located throughout the state of Louisiana. Our corporation was organized as a family-directed resource center based on the principals of Louisiana Act 378 of 1989 for individuals with disabilities and their families. We believe that providing support services through our programs will educate, strengthen and empower families and individuals who are at an increased risk for family breakdown.

 Children with delays in cognitive, motor, vision, hearing, communication, social-emotional or adaptive development may be eligible for services. EarlySteps services are designed to improve the family's capacity to enhance their child's development. These services are provided in the child's natural environment, such as the child's home, child care, or any other community setting typical for children between the ages of birth and 3 (36 months). 

 We are Acadiana’s support organization for everyone in our area affected by autism. If you are a person with autism, a parent, grandparent, teacher, neighbor, friend, service provider, doctor, psychologist, speech-language pathologist, or have any connection to the autism community, we are the organization for you. Autism Society Acadiana was founded in 1985 by a group of parents and professionals who wanted to share information, resources, and provide support to each other and to families affected by autism. We provide opportunities for our members to meet other families and individuals on the autism spectrum and also allow members to share experiences and information with others. We also distribute information and give resources on where to find programs and services that benefit the entire family.

 We envision a world where families and educators of children with disabilities work in true partnership, supported by systems that create pathways for all children to reach their full potential.  We help families and schools work together to support children with disabilities. Families are stressed and trying to navigate a confusing maze of services and school resources for their children. Teachers and school systems are juggling a lot of demands and trying to meet compliance requirements.

Families and schools all have the children’s best interests at heart, but disagreements and mistrust can arise.

The Louisiana Achieving a Better Life Experience Act is a program which allows families to save for disability related expenses of their loved ones. The advantage of this program is that it allows the family to save without worrying about whether the assets in an account will be counted as an asset for purposes of determining eligibility for federal and state benefits programs such as Medicaid and Social Security.

The Arc of Louisiana is an organization of and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.  It is devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for people with developmental disabilities and their families.  The Arc is people – people with developmental disabilities, parents, family members, and friends who work together.  We are a grassroots organization with over 6,000 members affiliated through 21 local chapters across the state.  A board of directors and a delegate body of representatives from each chapter guides the work of The Arc.