Families Helping Families of Acadiana

09/05/2026

📣 UPCOMING WEBINAR: Planning for Adulthood – Part 1 📣

Preparing for life after high school can feel like a big step — but planning early can help make the transition smoother! 🧭

Join us for Planning for Adulthood: Part 1, where we'll discuss important areas to consider when preparing for adulthood and life after high school. 🔎

📅 Tuesday, September 8, 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
🔗 Register here: tinyurl.com/090826AdulthoodPt1

Whether you're a parent, self-advocate, or professional supporting people with disabilities, join us to learn more about preparing for the future! 💚

💙 We're excited to partner with Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans to bring this webinar to our families and communities!

09/01/2026

Applications for Partners in Policymaking are open now! ✨

🔗 Register here: https://laddc.org/what-were-working-on/partners-in-policymaking/partners-in-policymaking-application-and-instructions/

Partners in Policymaking in Louisiana is a free leadership and advocacy training program designed for adults with developmental disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities.

08/24/2026

💛 There's still time to make your voice heard! 💛

The Louisiana Council's Advocacy Network (LaCAN) is hosting its final Region 4 Community Input Meeting, and we want to hear from YOU!

🗓️ This Thursday, August 27 @ 6:00 – 8:00 PM
🔗 Register here: tinyurl.com/R4August27

This is your opportunity to:
✅ Share your experiences
✅ Discuss issues affecting the disability community
✅ Help shape LaCAN's 2027 Legislative Agenda
✅ Connect with fellow advocates, self-advocates, families, and community members

Every voice matters, and your input can help shape meaningful change for people with disabilities across Louisiana. We hope to see you there! 💙

📧 For more information, contact Erika Joseph at [email protected].

08/24/2026

📣 Our Office Hours Have Changed! 📣

Starting today, FHFOA has new hours of operation:

🕗 Monday – Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

🕗 Friday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

While our hours may look a little different, our team is still here and ready to help connect you with the information, resources, and support you need. 💙

We look forward to continuing to serve our families and community! 💚

08/21/2026

New HCBS rate increases are set to take effect October 1, 2026, including an increase to the DSP wage floor.

Thank you to everyone who advocated, showed up, and shared your voice. Your efforts helped move this forward!

Read the full LaDDC News:
https://conta.cc/4zvcqF6

08/20/2026

💙💚 Meet Our New Executive Director! 💚💙

Families Helping Families of Acadiana is excited to officially welcome Deborah Fontenot as our new Executive Director!

As Deborah steps into her new role, we asked her to share a little about herself and what this new role means to her.

✨ Meet Deborah:

"Hello, my name is Deborah Fontenot, and first and foremost, I want to share how excited and honored I am to serve as the Executive Director of Families Helping Families of Acadiana.

I am the proud mother of three very energetic boys, two of whom have Fragile X Syndrome. My boys are my greatest inspiration, and they have played an incredible role in leading me to where I am today. Through our family's experiences, I have developed an even deeper passion for supporting, encouraging, and empowering individuals with disabilities and their families.

I am truly happy and excited to take on this new role. I look forward to working alongside our families, staff, community partners, and supporters as we continue the important work of Families Helping Families of Acadiana."

We are excited to welcome Deborah into this new role and look forward to all that is ahead for FHFOA! 💙

Help us give Deborah a warm welcome in the comments! 👋

08/17/2026

💛 Your Voice Matters! Join a LaCAN Region 4 Community Meeting! 💛

The Louisiana Council's Advocacy Network (LaCAN) is hosting Region 4 Community Input Meetings, and we want to hear from you!

This is your opportunity to:
✅ Share your experiences
✅ Discuss issues affecting the disability community
✅ Help shape LaCAN's 2027 Legislative Agenda
✅ Connect with fellow advocates, self-advocates, families, and community members

Choose the meeting that works best for you:

🗓️ Thursday, August 20 @ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🔗 Register here: tinyurl.com/R4August20

OR

🗓️ Thursday, August 27 @ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🔗 Register here: tinyurl.com/R4August27

Every voice matters, and together we can create meaningful change for people with disabilities across Louisiana. We hope to see you there! 💛

📧 For more information, contact Erika Joseph at [email protected].