LaCAN (Louisiana Citizens for Action Now) is the statewide grassroots network of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, and consists of individuals, families and advocates who have worked together since 1988 advocating for a service system that supports individuals with disabilities to live in their own homes rather than having to be segregated from their

 LaCAN’s mission is:

To advocate for a service system that supports people with disabilities to live in their own home rather than having to be segregated from their communities in a facility to receive needed services.

LaCAN’s Guiding Principles are:

Children, regardless of the severity of their disability, need family and enduring relationships with adults in a nurturing home environment.  As with all children, children with developmental disabilities need families and family relationships to develop to their fullest potential.

Adults with developmental disabilities should be afforded the opportunity to make decisions for themselves and to live in typical homes and communities where they can exercise their full rights and responsibilities as citizens.

LaCAN Members

LaCAN members are organized into regional teams and are contacted by email or phone when communication with state policy makers is necessary.

Accomplishments

 Major Accomplishments to Date:

Passage of Act 378 in 1989 that establishes Louisiana’s Community and Family Support System.

Passage of Act 481 in 2007 which provides a recurring source of funding for New Opportunities Waiver (NOW) slots.

Appropriation of hundreds of millions of dollars for Waiver Services and Individual and Family Support Services.

Results of Accomplishments to Date:

Almost 2,000 families receive a monthly cash subsidy to assist with the extraordinary costs they incur to care for their children with severe disabilities.

Hundreds of adults with severe disabilities across the state are living successfully in their own homes with individualized supports.

 Approximately 2,500 children and adults with developmental disabilities are receiving state funded supports in their own homes regardless of their Medicaid eligibility.

 8,567 NOW slots are currently funded.

 “One Person can make a difference. Every person should try.” John F. Kennedy

 What You Can Do

Become a LaCAN member

NO DUES. NO FEES.

You can help your family and others by joining the LaCAN Team in your region and participating in its advocacy efforts. Increased membership is needed for success in gaining increased funding for individual and family supports.

Waiting lists for all components of the Community and Family Support System are very long. If you feel frustrated when needed services and supports are not available, joining

LaCAN is something you can do to help change the situation.

LaCAN members embrace the philosophy of the Community and Family Support System and are willing to write, call or visit policymakers in the state to share their families’ stories.

To join the LaCAN Team in your region, complete the membership form, or call 1-800-450-8108.  

Assist the LaCAN leader

Contacting other LaCAN members for action alerts

Organizing Round tables and Rally events for members to meet legislators

Make Donations

LaCAN leaders and events are funded through the Developmental Disabilities Council.  Additional funds allow members to participate in things like the Disability Rights Rally.  

For information on how you can make a donation call 1-800-450-8108.

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