Louisiana
Learn more about what Louisiana is doing to increase opportunities for youth and young adults with disabilities as they transition to employment or post-secondary education!
COVID-19 Response:
Continuous Education for Students with Disabilities
Summary: This document is a direct service guide that allows for schools to help develop and implement learning plans that address direct services. The document focuses on three steps: assessing family need and providing online learning resources and technology if necessary, developing either a high-technology or a low-technology approach to the student’s learning environment, and implementing remote education. The document also includes additional online resources for students with disabilities, such as telehealth services.
Operated by: Louisiana Department of Education
Topic: Assistive Technology, Distance Learning, Family Engagement, Telehealth
Continuous Learning for Students with Disabilities Supporting Guidance Documents
Summary: This document includes information on academic resources, continuous education, a family toolbox on how to support children with disabilities and IDEA timelines, for the extended school closure during COVID-19.
Operated by: Louisiana Department of Education
Topic: Distance Learning, Family Engagement
Louisiana Department of Education COVID-19
Summary: The Louisiana Department of Education developed an online page to share resources for families, as well as up-to-date information and guidance for schools and centers. These resources cover topics including distance learning, IEPs, technology and family engagement.
Operated by: Louisiana Department of Education
Topic: Distance Learning, Family Engagement, IEP
Start Strong 2020
Summary: To create a strong start to the 2020-2021 school year, the Louisiana Department of Education is focused on helping school systems address unfinished learning from the 2019-2020 school year, set the foundation for continuous learning in 2020-2021 and prepare for potential modified operations in the future. The Department of Education developed a Start Strong 2020 web page which addresses these concerns and provides numerous resources specifically regarding special education services.
Operated by: Louisiana Department of Education
Topic: Distance Learning, IEP
Timelines and Documentation During Extended School Closure for Students with Disabilities
Summary: This document helps school systems provide special education and related services in a distanced environment and maintain special education compliance. It provides specific information on when IEP meetings will occur, the medium over which they will occur, and considerations for additional services for students with disabilities, such as compensatory education programs.
Operated by: Louisiana Department of Education
Topic: Assistive Technology, Distance Learning, Family Engagement
Continuous Education for Students with Disabilities: Direct Services
Summary: This document advises IEP providers on adjustments that they must make for certain students in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These adjustments include guidelines for virtual IEP meetings and the provision of additional IEP-related resources. It also emphasizes the importance of providing assistive technology for at-home learning for students with disabilities. Finally, it lists multiple telehealth resources targeted toward students with disabilities.
Operated by: Louisiana Department of Education
Topic: IEP, Assistive Technology, Telehealth
Guide to Supporting the Well-Being of Students and Staff
Summary: This document provides mental health resources specifically targeted at students. This resource also provides step-by-step instructions for educators seeking to address students’ mental health concerns.
Operated by: Louisiana Department of Education
Topic: Mental Health
Supporting Young Children Isolated Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Summary: This document assists families attempting to respond to their children’s mental health response to COVID-19. It includes information on potential mental health reactions among youth to COVID-19, as well as information on best-practices for parental mental health responses.
Operated by: LSU Health
Topic: Mental Health