Disabilities | Louisiana Department of Health
Source: http://dhh.louisiana.gov/disabilities
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:31
Disabilities | Louisiana Department of Health
Disabilities
Health Info & Services
Disabilities
About
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a person with a disability is someone who:
Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
Has a history or record of such an impairment
Is regarded as having such an impairment
There is a wide variety of disabilities. Disabilities are categorized into physical, sensory, communication, cognitive, developmental and mental health types. Some disabilities are visible and some are not. Some examples include:
Cancer
Diabetes
Post-traumatic stress disorder
HIV
Autism
Cerebral palsy
Deafness or hearing loss
Blindness or low vision
Epilepsy
Mobility disabilities requiring the use of a wheelchair, walker, or cane
Intellectual disabilities
Major depressive disorder
Traumatic brain injury
To apply for services, individuals or their families should contact their local human services district or authority
here
.
The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities law
(R.S. 28:451.1 – 28:455.2) defines a developmental disability as either:
A severe chronic disability that:
Is caused by an intellectual or physical impairment, or a combination of intellectual and physical impairments,
Is present before the person turns 22,
Is likely to continue throughout the person’s life,
Will result in a substantial functional limitation in three or more areas of major life activity (self-care, language, learning, mobility, self-direction, independent living, economic self-sufficiency),
Is not solely due to a mental illness, and
Indicates that a person will need a combination and sequence of individually planned care, treatment or other services that will be lifelong or for an extended period.
A developmental disability may also be a substantial developmental delay or a specific condition in a person (either present at birth or acquired) that presents before age 9 that without services and support will likely result in a severe chronic disability as outlined above.
Developmental Disabilities
Citizens with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families may receive services through the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD), as well as other bureaus and programs in the Louisiana Department of Health.
To find out if you are eligible for OCDD services, contact your local human services district or authority
here
.
OCDD services are programs that include the following:
Home and Community-Based Waiver Services
offer services and support based on each individual’s need to help people live and participate in their community. OCDD has a tiered waiver system, meaning that we place individuals in the most appropriate waiver to meet that person’s needs. There are four OCDD Home and Community Based Waivers:
New Opportunities Waiver (NOW)
Residential Options Waiver (ROW)
Supports Waiver (SW)
Children’s Choice (CC) Waiver
Individual and Family Support (IFS)
IFS provides support services and assistance that might not be available from other resources. This could include respite, personal assistance services, specialized clothing, equipment and supplies, communication services, crisis intervention.
Flexible Family Funds
Monthly stipends for families of eligible children (birth to 18 years) with severe or profound developmental disabilities to help their families meet extraordinary costs
Local Governing Entities administer the funds on a first-come, first-served basis.
EarlySteps early intervention program
The EarlySteps Program provides services to families with infants and toddlers aged birth to 3 years who have a developmental delay or a medical condition likely to result in one.
Children may be eligible to receive services if they have delays in cognitive, motor, vision, hearing, communication, social-emotional or adaptive development.
Providers deliver services in the child’s home, childcare, or another community setting typical for children aged birth to 3 years.
My Place Louisiana
My Place Louisiana assists individuals with developmental disabilities who are currently residing in an intermediate care facility or nursing facility transition from an institution to home- and community-based living setting of their choice.
My Place Louisiana also assists children with developmental disabilities who meet eligibility requirements and who are living in a nursing facility, hospital or rehabilitation hospital to move into a home- and community-based setting that the family chooses.
Citizens with intellectual/developmental disabilities may also receive services through other bureaus and programs in the Louisiana Department of Health. These included but are not limited to the following:
Act 421 Children’s Medicaid Option or TEFRA
TEFRA allows certain children with disabilities to receive Medicaid coverage even if their parents earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid.
Children with disabilities who are living at home with their families must meet an institutional level of care for an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID), a nursing facility, or a hospital to qualify.
ICF/IID – residential facilities
that provide individuals with 24-hour support, active treatment, and ongoing evaluation and planning. These facilities may be large, medium, or small in size. There are two facilities that are state-operated:
Pinecrest Supports and Services Center
Central Louisiana Supports and Services Center
State Plan Medicaid long term supports and services
, including Early Periodic Screening and Diagnostic Testing (EPSDT) for children and Long Term Personal Care Services (LT-PCS) for adults
State Plan Medicaid acute and behavioral health care services
Bureau of Family Health programs
Programs & Services
New Opportunities Waiver (NOW)
The New Opportunities Waiver (NOW) offers people ages three and older, who require intermediate care facility services to remain in their communities.
Learn more
Residential Options Waiver (ROW)
The Residential Options Waiver (ROW) offers people of all ages services designed to support them to move from ICFs/DD and nursing facilities to community-based settings, and to serve as an alternative to institutionalization.
Learn more
Children’s Choice Waiver (CCW)
The Children’s Choice Waiver (CCW) offers supplemental support to children through age 20 who currently live at home with their families or with a foster family.
Learn more
Supports Waiver
The Supports Waiver offers focused, individualized vocational services to people over the age of 18 who otherwise would require the level of care of an intermediate care facility.
Learn more
EarlySteps
Supplies services to the families of infants and toddlers, two years and younger, with developmental delays or a condition that will likely result in a developmental delay.
Learn more
My Place Louisiana
Moves or transitions Louisiana residents with developmental disabilities from an institution into a home or community-based setting.
Learn more
Learn more about Adult-Onset Disabilities
The Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS) was formed within the Department of Health as a healthcare reform initiative, bringing together all of the long-term care programs that serve senior citizens and people with adult-onset disabilities.
Learn more
Learn more about Behavioral Health Disabilities
The Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) manages and delivers the services and supports necessary to improve the quality of life for citizens with mental illness and addictive disorders.
Learn more
Contact
Contact the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities
Email
225-342-0095
Online
Contact
Contact the Office of Aging and Adult Services
Email
1-866-758-5035
Online
Contact
Contact the Office of Behavioral Health
225-342-2540
Online
Contact
Contact the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf
Email
1-800-256-1523
Online
Local Resources
Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council
The ARC of Louisiana
Families Helping Families of Acadiana
Families Helping Families Bayou Land
Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge
Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans
Families Helping Families of Jefferson
Families Helping Families of Northeast Louisiana
Families Helping Families of Northshore
Families Helping Families of Southwest Louisiana
Families Helping Families Region 7
Governor's Office of Disability Affairs
Independent Living Centers in Louisiana
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)
National Resources
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
American Disabilities Act
The ARC of the United States
Autism Society of America
Exceptional Lives
National Council on Independent Living
Spread the Word to End the Word
FAQs
Q: Who qualifies for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) through the Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS)?
A: Aging Louisianians and individuals with adult on-set disabilities may qualify for Home and Community-Based Services through the Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS).
Q: Where do I go to apply for services?
A: To apply for services, individuals or their families can contact their
local human services district or authority
. Applications often require documentation of the disability and an assessment of needs.
Q: Behavioral Health FAQ
A:
Q: What is the process for reporting abuse or neglect?
A: Suspected abuse or neglect should be reported immediately to the appropriate authorities. For contact information on reporting, click
here
.
To apply for services, individuals or their families can contact their
local human services district or authority
. Applications often require documentation of the disability and an assessment of needs.
Aging Louisianians and individuals with adult on-set disabilities may qualify for Home and Community-Based Services through the Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS).
Suspected abuse or neglect should be reported immediately to the appropriate authorities. For contact information on reporting, click
here
.
Surgeon General
Evelyn Griffin, MD
Secretary
Bruce D. Greenstein
Powered by
Cicero Government
Disabilities
Health Info & Services
Disabilities
About
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a person with a disability is someone who:
Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
Has a history or record of such an impairment
Is regarded as having such an impairment
There is a wide variety of disabilities. Disabilities are categorized into physical, sensory, communication, cognitive, developmental and mental health types. Some disabilities are visible and some are not. Some examples include:
Cancer
Diabetes
Post-traumatic stress disorder
HIV
Autism
Cerebral palsy
Deafness or hearing loss
Blindness or low vision
Epilepsy
Mobility disabilities requiring the use of a wheelchair, walker, or cane
Intellectual disabilities
Major depressive disorder
Traumatic brain injury
To apply for services, individuals or their families should contact their local human services district or authority
here
.
The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities law
(R.S. 28:451.1 – 28:455.2) defines a developmental disability as either:
A severe chronic disability that:
Is caused by an intellectual or physical impairment, or a combination of intellectual and physical impairments,
Is present before the person turns 22,
Is likely to continue throughout the person’s life,
Will result in a substantial functional limitation in three or more areas of major life activity (self-care, language, learning, mobility, self-direction, independent living, economic self-sufficiency),
Is not solely due to a mental illness, and
Indicates that a person will need a combination and sequence of individually planned care, treatment or other services that will be lifelong or for an extended period.
A developmental disability may also be a substantial developmental delay or a specific condition in a person (either present at birth or acquired) that presents before age 9 that without services and support will likely result in a severe chronic disability as outlined above.
Developmental Disabilities
Citizens with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families may receive services through the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD), as well as other bureaus and programs in the Louisiana Department of Health.
To find out if you are eligible for OCDD services, contact your local human services district or authority
here
.
OCDD services are programs that include the following:
Home and Community-Based Waiver Services
offer services and support based on each individual’s need to help people live and participate in their community. OCDD has a tiered waiver system, meaning that we place individuals in the most appropriate waiver to meet that person’s needs. There are four OCDD Home and Community Based Waivers:
New Opportunities Waiver (NOW)
Residential Options Waiver (ROW)
Supports Waiver (SW)
Children’s Choice (CC) Waiver
Individual and Family Support (IFS)
IFS provides support services and assistance that might not be available from other resources. This could include respite, personal assistance services, specialized clothing, equipment and supplies, communication services, crisis intervention.
Flexible Family Funds
Monthly stipends for families of eligible children (birth to 18 years) with severe or profound developmental disabilities to help their families meet extraordinary costs
Local Governing Entities administer the funds on a first-come, first-served basis.
EarlySteps early intervention program
The EarlySteps Program provides services to families with infants and toddlers aged birth to 3 years who have a developmental delay or a medical condition likely to result in one.
Children may be eligible to receive services if they have delays in cognitive, motor, vision, hearing, communication, social-emotional or adaptive development.
Providers deliver services in the child’s home, childcare, or another community setting typical for children aged birth to 3 years.
My Place Louisiana
My Place Louisiana assists individuals with developmental disabilities who are currently residing in an intermediate care facility or nursing facility transition from an institution to home- and community-based living setting of their choice.
My Place Louisiana also assists children with developmental disabilities who meet eligibility requirements and who are living in a nursing facility, hospital or rehabilitation hospital to move into a home- and community-based setting that the family chooses.
Citizens with intellectual/developmental disabilities may also receive services through other bureaus and programs in the Louisiana Department of Health. These included but are not limited to the following:
Act 421 Children’s Medicaid Option or TEFRA
TEFRA allows certain children with disabilities to receive Medicaid coverage even if their parents earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid.
Children with disabilities who are living at home with their families must meet an institutional level of care for an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID), a nursing facility, or a hospital to qualify.
ICF/IID – residential facilities
that provide individuals with 24-hour support, active treatment, and ongoing evaluation and planning. These facilities may be large, medium, or small in size. There are two facilities that are state-operated:
Pinecrest Supports and Services Center
Central Louisiana Supports and Services Center
State Plan Medicaid long term supports and services
, including Early Periodic Screening and Diagnostic Testing (EPSDT) for children and Long Term Personal Care Services (LT-PCS) for adults
State Plan Medicaid acute and behavioral health care services
Bureau of Family Health programs
Programs & Services
New Opportunities Waiver (NOW)
The New Opportunities Waiver (NOW) offers people ages three and older, who require intermediate care facility services to remain in their communities.
Learn more
Residential Options Waiver (ROW)
The Residential Options Waiver (ROW) offers people of all ages services designed to support them to move from ICFs/DD and nursing facilities to community-based settings, and to serve as an alternative to institutionalization.
Learn more
Children’s Choice Waiver (CCW)
The Children’s Choice Waiver (CCW) offers supplemental support to children through age 20 who currently live at home with their families or with a foster family.
Learn more
Supports Waiver
The Supports Waiver offers focused, individualized vocational services to people over the age of 18 who otherwise would require the level of care of an intermediate care facility.
Learn more
EarlySteps
Supplies services to the families of infants and toddlers, two years and younger, with developmental delays or a condition that will likely result in a developmental delay.
Learn more
My Place Louisiana
Moves or transitions Louisiana residents with developmental disabilities from an institution into a home or community-based setting.
Learn more
Learn more about Adult-Onset Disabilities
The Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS) was formed within the Department of Health as a healthcare reform initiative, bringing together all of the long-term care programs that serve senior citizens and people with adult-onset disabilities.
Learn more
Learn more about Behavioral Health Disabilities
The Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) manages and delivers the services and supports necessary to improve the quality of life for citizens with mental illness and addictive disorders.
Learn more
Contact
Contact the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities
225-342-0095
Online
Contact
Contact the Office of Aging and Adult Services
1-866-758-5035
Online
Contact
Contact the Office of Behavioral Health
225-342-2540
Online
Contact
Contact the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf
1-800-256-1523
Online
Local Resources
Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council
The ARC of Louisiana
Families Helping Families of Acadiana
Families Helping Families Bayou Land
Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge
Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans
Families Helping Families of Jefferson
Families Helping Families of Northeast Louisiana
Families Helping Families of Northshore
Families Helping Families of Southwest Louisiana
Families Helping Families Region 7
Governor's Office of Disability Affairs
Independent Living Centers in Louisiana
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)
National Resources
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
American Disabilities Act
The ARC of the United States
Autism Society of America
Exceptional Lives
National Council on Independent Living
Spread the Word to End the Word
FAQs
Q: Who qualifies for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) through the Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS)?
A: Aging Louisianians and individuals with adult on-set disabilities may qualify for Home and Community-Based Services through the Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS).
Q: Where do I go to apply for services?
A: To apply for services, individuals or their families can contact their
local human services district or authority
. Applications often require documentation of the disability and an assessment of needs.
Q: Behavioral Health FAQ
A:
Q: What is the process for reporting abuse or neglect?
A: Suspected abuse or neglect should be reported immediately to the appropriate authorities. For contact information on reporting, click
here
.
To apply for services, individuals or their families can contact their
local human services district or authority
. Applications often require documentation of the disability and an assessment of needs.
Aging Louisianians and individuals with adult on-set disabilities may qualify for Home and Community-Based Services through the Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS).
Suspected abuse or neglect should be reported immediately to the appropriate authorities. For contact information on reporting, click
here
.
Surgeon General
Evelyn Griffin, MD
Secretary
Bruce D. Greenstein
Powered by
Cicero Government