Information for people with disabilities and their families who have
been affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Office for Citiznes with Developmetnal Disabilities
The Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities has been working over the last several days to assure that people with developmental disabilities are being evacuated to safe places in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. We have been overwhelmed by both requests for information as well as offers of assistance. In order to respond to the needs of people with developmental disabilities in Louisiana, I have established four OCDD Response Teams to more effectively handle the requests from both people with disabilities, their families, providers, employees and the community. This will include requests regarding ICF/MRs, waiver supports and services, state funded services, etc. The teams established and their functions are as follows:
Location Team: This team will be working on locating people with developmental disabilities and their families that have been displaced. They will be coordinating with Medicaid and other agencies to determine where people were located and will begin efforts to find out where they have relocated.
Relocation Team: This team will handle requests and questions regarding re-location of people with developmental disabilities. This includes anyone that has been displaced and was receiving services or in need of supports. Some requests this team will field will be those regarding location of temporary, semi-permanent and permanent housing, re-location of other supports, and payment of re-located services. They will also obtain information on any residential resources that are available both within and outside the state, looking at both public and private providers.
Employee Location/Relocation: This team is tasked with locating employees that have been displaced. They will work on the details of relocating offices and staff if necessary and resuming services for the affected areas.
Donations of time, staff or money: This team will field offers of donations of funds, staff or volunteers that would like to assist people with developmental disabilities. They will coordinate efforts with other agencies on the receipt and dissemination of these resources.
We are trying to establish a Nationwide Toll Free number for access to these teams. Until that number is established, please contact us through the Baton Rouge state office at 225-342-0095. The number will be staffed from 7AM to 7PM until further notice (including weekends and the Labor Day Holiday). I will forward the Toll-Free Number as soon as it is established.
Thank you for your support in this time of need and please keep all of the
people affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers.
services and will be reimbursed.