What We Do
All services are free to families and professionals.
Bureau of Family Health – Community Resource Specialist
The Bureau of Family Health also partners with Families Helping Families (FHF) to provide families of children and youth with special healthcare needs with extra support. FHF works to help children gain independence and integrate into the community through resource linkage services, peer support, education, and training. Their staff includes individuals with disabilities and family members of those with disabilities who are familiar with navigating the systems.
FHF Community Resource Specialists are available to help families connect to resources and services that can help them. They have the knowledge and skills to work families of children with special health care needs. Community Resource Specialists can help you and your child by providing:
- Tips for accessing services
- Peer and emotional support
- Referrals to medical and support services
- Connections to other parents with children and youth with special health care needs
Early Steps Community Outreach Specialist
Provides families of children who are receiving EarlySteps services with the information, training, and support they need to be an active participant in the delivery of EarlySteps services to their child. This program also assists them in accessing community resources for their family. Additionally, the EarlySteps program markets to potential and established referral sources, participants, and the community at large.
LaCAN – Louisiana Council’s Advocacy Network
LaCAN advocates for service systems that support children and adults with disabilities to live in their own homes and be fully-included and participating members of their local schools and communities. LaCAN provides information and support to individuals wishing to effectively advocate for systems change in the areas of home and community-based services, education, and employment. MORE INFORMATION
Next Chapter Book Club
A book club for individuals 18 and above with intellectual disabilities. MORE INFORMATION
Imperial Calcasieu Human Services Authority – Developmental Disabilities Division Support Project
FHF SWLA provides assistance to families within the DD system assistance with finding and receiving appropriate support in their community.
Education Regional Family Support
Educational Support Specialists use resources, workshops, presentations as well as one-on-one support to empower parents to become effective advocates for their children receiving special education services. Our core beliefs is, all students have the right to be educated in the least restrictive environment and community settings to ensure their full and valued membership in society.
- We believe all students should have the same opportunities to be educated in neighborhood schools as their siblings and friends.
- With or without disabilities, all students should have the support system to learn together effectively using family, school, and community.
- We believe all students should have education that meets their individual needs, resulting in meaningful outcomes and prepare them for productive and enriching lives.
Family to Family Health Information Center
An initiative of Bayouland Families Helping Families Center that provides information to families on their child’s health care challenges and on navigating the health care financing maze. We attend health fairs to reach the public creating awareness of programs and services that are offered in the community. They also provide trainings on services and resources available to families and on how to advocate for better health care services in our state.
Additional Resources
Workshops, Webinars, Yearly Empowerment Conference, Connection to Mayor’s Commission on Disability, and Presentations on a variety of topics for parents and professionals; Connection to information on LaCAN. the disability community grassroots advocacy organization;
A quarterly Agency Newsletter.