Louisiana

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