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Louisiana Ranked Eighth for Early Education System

The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) has ranked Louisiana No. 8 in the nation for creating a coordinated and integrated early care and education (ECE) program. In Louisiana, the Early Childhood Education Act of 2012 subsumes five early education programs under one agency and mandates a quality rating system for all public ECE providers. Despite the ranking, Louisiana continues to rank poorly in the number of children who can access these resources.

• Full Report
• Louisiana Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Press Release

Sonjia Joseph on WBOK-AM

Sonjia Joseph, the director of Clara’s Little Lambs in Algiers and a trainee in HDC’s LEND program in fiscal year 2018 (academic year 2017-18), was the guest star of the episode of On The Move with Kyundra Joi that aired on December 10. Ms. Joseph talked about being the second-generation director of Clara’s Little Lambs and the advantages and disadvantages of being located on the West Bank.

HDC Quarterly Report to the DD Council

HDC’s quarterly report to the DD Council was exceptionally well written.

Remembering David Gallegos

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we learned last evening of the passing of our long-time friend,colleague and collaborator, David Gallegos.  David was a colleague and an advocate for people with disabilities and families who worked at the Advocacy Center for many years.  For decades, David was an unwavering and passionate advocate on employment-related programs and services for individuals with disabilities.  He will be greatly missed by all of us who had the pleasure to meet and work with him.  The Advocacy Center will be planning a formal remembrance in the coming weeks and will share those details, as well as information on his services.  We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his friends, family and colleagues.

David’s family extends this invitation to all of his colleagues and friends: 

Celebrating the Life of David Gallegos

Saturday, November 17, 2018

• 12 pm  Visitation with family and friends (light refreshments provided)
• 1 pm    Informal eulogies
• 2 pm    Memorial ceremony
  Tharp Funeral Home
  1600 North Causeway Blvd
  Metairie, LA 70001
• 3 pm    Reception (food provided)
  Advocacy Center of Louisiana
  8325 Oak Street
  New Orleans, LA 70118

McMillian’s First Steps, Toddler’s University, and Kid’s Kingdom on Louisiana Childhood Education “Honor Roll”

Three of HDC’s Early Head Start Child Care Partners have earned a top spot on the “Honor Roll” from the Louisiana Department of Education for high performance in 2017-2018. The Honor roll recognizes early childhood programs, including early childhood centers, Head Start, and pre-kindergarten in the three categories of Excellence, Birth to Three, and Top Gains.

• McMillian’s First Steps and Toddler’s University made the state Honor Roll for providing Quality Care to Infants and Toddlers

• Kid’s Kingdom made the state honor roll for Top Gains

Article on the Louisiana Believes Department of Education website

Honor Roll Results

Task Force on Human Degradation & Exploitation of Vulnerable Individuals in Community-Based Settings

Follow-up to CONNECTIONS 2018 Conference

The Louisiana Deafblind Project for Children and Youth in partnership with the Louisiana Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program presented the CONNECTIONS 2018 Conference September 14 & 15, 2018 at the LSU Health Sciences Center, Human Development Center.  A total of 210 educational and allied health professionals, education/allied health students, and parents attended across the two-day conference and enjoyed a variety of guest speakers and topics which included featured speakers Dr. Carol Flexor and Dr. Steven Collins. 

Click here to read more and to access links to handouts, photos & videos.

LASARD High School Workshop: Tips and Tools for High School Success

How can we prepare our children or students with ASD for success in high school…not just academically, but also socially and behaviorally? What about preparing them for the challenges of community living?  Connect with other high school educators and family members from across the state as we address these questions.

This workshop, geared to high school professionals and family members, will provide information and strategies for developing classroom supports, teaching self-regulation strategies, writing and implementing functional behavior intervention plans, and exploring relevant resources.  Please make plans to join us!•

• This workshop will be held on November 13, 2018 in Natchitoches and November 15, 2018 in New Orleans. 
• •Registration will be from 8:30 to 9:00, and the workshop will run from 9:00 to 3:00 with a break for lunch. 
• The workshop is free and open to anyone interested until all seats are taken.
•  CEUs will be provided.

Click below for more information and to register for the Natchitoches workshop.

Click below for more information and to register for the New Orleans workshop.

Wilbert Johnson: WILLing to Work

Former HDC PAY Check participant and Rooted in Rights campaign participant Wilbert “Will” Johnson, with help from HDC employee Lauren Griffiths, was featured in a new video from Rooted in Rights in regard to his current work at Audubon Zoo. Please join him and all the HDC staff and former trainees in celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) this October. Observed each October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and advocates for their increased inclusion in America’s workforce.

AUCD Advocacy Specialist Speaks on the Rights of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

C-Span has a clip of Ms. Elizabeth Weintraub, AUCD Senior Advocacy Specialist, speaking at the Supreme Court Confirmation hearing of Judge Kavanaugh on the rights of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4748118/aucds-elizabeth-weintraub-kavanaugh-nomination