Developmental Disabilities Council public meetings in 2023
4 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Developmental Disabilities Council
The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council holds its quarterly business meeting, including votes on the July 2023 meeting summary and executive committee recommendations, along with reports from committees and state agencies.
- Vote on July 2023 meeting summary
- Vote on Executive Committee recommendations
- Budget report from Executive Director Ebony Haven
- Reports from committees: Membership, Act 378, Self-Determination/Community Inclusion, Education/Employment
- Public comment period
The Council appointed Interim Executive Director Ebony Haven to the permanent role and approved the 2024 Legislative Advocacy Agenda. Members also appointed seven new representatives to the Council and postponed a decision on the Executive Director's salary. A motion to require an outside hire for the LDOE State Ombudsman failed.
- Approved hiring Interim Executive Director Ebony Haven as Executive Director (6-4)
- Postponed Executive Director salary decision until January 2024
- Approved 2024 Advocacy Agenda: funding for Families Helping Families, Direct Support Worker pay raises, and eliminating Family Flexible Fund waitlist (8-0)
- Approved drafting a letter to BESE regarding Act 392 concerns about convicted felons in classrooms
- Appointed Cherie Aduli as Non-profit representative
- Appointed Christinna Becktold to the institutional/facility seat
- Appointed Pasqueal Nguyen, Missey Moore, Samantha Singletary, Melinda Perrodin and Michael Billings to parents/immediate relatives seats
- Denied motion to require LDOE State Ombudsman be hired from an outside source (6-2)
Developmental Disabilities Council
The Council is meeting to review committee reports and vote on the April 2023 meeting summary and Executive Committee recommendations. The session includes reports from various state agencies and departments regarding disability services.
- Vote on April 2023 Meeting Summary
- Vote on Executive Committee Recommendations
- Budget Report provided by Amy Deaville
- Reports from Act 378 Subcommittee, Nominating Committee, and Education/Employment Committee
- Standing reports from LSU Human Development Center and Department of Education
The Council elected a new leadership team and approved funding for disability voting rights and education advocacy. It also approved a contract for navigating healthcare systems and set specific reporting and debt-payment requirements for Families Helping Families of New Orleans.
- Approved proposal from People First/The Arc of Louisiana for Disability Voting Rights activity
- Approved $87,000 proposal from The Arc of Louisiana for Activity 3.1.5 with a required subcontract to Bayou Land Families Helping Families of at least $5,638.68 (12-0-2)
- Approved proposal from Hustle and Grow for Activity 2.1.3 (6-5-3)
- Elected Christi Gonzales as Chair (8-4-0)
- Elected Jill Hano as Vice Chair, Renoda Washington as Employment/Education Chair, Brooke Stewart as SDCI Chair, and Angela Harmon as Member-at-Large (unanimous)
- Denied initial recommendation for Families Helping Families of New Orleans contract terms (4-8-1)
- Approved continued contract for Families Helping Families of New Orleans requiring quarterly audit reports, leadership assessments, and use of non-recurring funds to pay debts (12-0-2)
- Approved April 2023 Meeting Summary (unanimous)
Developmental Disabilities Council
The Developmental Disabilities Council is meeting to review reports and vote on key administrative items. The body will consider the adoption of the FFY 2023 Action Plan and a report from the Membership Committee. The meeting includes reports from various state health, education, and disability agencies.
- Vote on adoption of Council’s FFY 2023 Action Plan
- Vote on January 2022 Meeting Summary
- Vote on Membership Committee report
- Budget Report presented by Amy Deaville
- Reports from Bureau of Health Services Financing (Medicaid) and Department of Education
The Council approved the Federal Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Action Plan following an amendment to Activity 2.1.2 regarding sexual education research. The Council also recommended three individuals for Governor appointment. A motion to approve the original Annual Work Plan failed.
- Approved January 2023 Meeting Summary (unanimous consent)
- Federal Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Work Plan approval failed
- Approved amendment to Activity 2.1.2 to research best practices for sexual education (12-1)
- Approved draft of Federal Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Action Plan as amended (12-0-1)
- Recommended Tony Piontek, Lauren Womack, and Mary Frances Avera for Governor Appointment (13-0)
Developmental Disabilities Council
The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council holds its quarterly business meeting to vote on prior meeting minutes, receive reports from committees and state agencies, and discuss the legislative agenda. No major policy decisions or new initiatives are listed on the agenda.
- Vote on October 2022 meeting minutes
- Executive Committee Recommendations vote
- Legislative Agenda Update
- Louisiana Department of Health Business Plan Presentation
- Public Comment period
The Council postponed a decision on increasing the Executive Director's salary to $95,000 until April 2023. Members approved recommendations for the Fiscal Year 24 Action Plan regarding voting awareness, first responder training, and advocacy capacity. The Council also amended its legislative agenda regarding public meeting notifications.
- Approved October 2022 Meeting Summary with amendment (unanimous)
- Failed motion to increase Executive Director’s salary to $95,000 annually
- Approved postponement of Executive Director salary decision until April 2023
- Approved FY24 Action Plan recommendations for voting awareness, supported decision making, and first responder/emergency trainings (unanimous)
- Approved recommendation to Planning Committee to contract for education and employment advocacy capacity (unanimous)
- Approved amendment to Public Meetings Law legislative agenda to include all participation options on notifications (passed with 1 abstention)