Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority

Parent Rights in Special Education – Join Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans as they discuss the rights that parents have when it comes to their child’s special education and related services:

• Parental participation;
• Access to education records;
• Informed consent;
• Prior written notice;
• Your right to disagree with school

Presenters: Sharon Blackmon, FHF of GNO; Cynthia Chesterfield, FHF of GBR

Hosst: FHF of Greater New Orleans and FHF of Greater Baton Rouge

Audience:  Parents, self-advocates, or professionals working with students with disabilities or special healthcare needs.

To register, click here. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

How to Write Ambitious IEP Goals – Join us as we discuss some tips to help you focus on making your child’s IEP as complete as possible to ensure good outcomes. During this webinar, we will discuss measurable annual goals and how they are written, your role as an IEP team member and how to create a results driven IEP.

Presenter: Sharon Blackmon, FHF of GNO

Host: Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans

Audience: Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals working with students with
disabilities or special healthcare needs.

To register, click here. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

When Parents & Schools Disagree: This training session will delve into Louisiana’s Special Education dispute resolution options and what to do when you disagree with the school regarding your child’s special education services. We will discuss:

• Different informal and formal dispute resolutions options offered by the Louisiana Department of Education
• How to request one of the dispute resolution options

Presenters: Sharon Blackmon, FHF of GNO; Cynthia Chesterfield, FHF of GBR

Hosts: Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans and Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge

Audience: Parents, self-advocates, or professionals working with students with disabilities or special healthcare needs.

To register, click here. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

The first Thursday of each month
4:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.

At LCM, we are committed to building stronger, connected communities through active engagement. We welcome all families and children, of all backgrounds and circumstances, and offer low-sensory playtime experiences where children with sensory-specific needs can explore the Museum without the noise, crowds, and stimulation of typical open hours.

Attendance is more limited, sounds and lights are turned down, and adaptive equipment, such as noise-reducing headphones and weighted vests, are provided. When available, specialists will be on hand to help facilitate activities and provide resources.

Registration link can be found here one month in advance.

Caregiver Support Group (English)

Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm and the 4th Tuesday of each month at 1:30pm

Facilitator: Stacy Badon

Host: Autism Society of Greater New Orleans

Description: Caregivers of individuals with autism face many unique challenges. Life can seem very different and distant from the experiences of many other families. It can be possible to feel that there is no way that they can ask for or expect other people to understand their experiences. This support group is a place for caregivers to share experiences, get information and advice, make community connections, and research opportunities for services and provision for their children. The group is also a safe place for caregivers to have fun and talk about all of the ups and downs of parenting as well as the big and small issues. Sign up below. See all of ASGNO’s virtual programs by clicking here.

Sign Up Now

Adult social group (18+ years old)

Meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at 6:00pm

Facilitator: Emily Davis

Host: Autism Society of Greater New Orleans

Description: The Online Social Group is designed to help reduce feelings of isolation and increase the opportunity for social interaction with peers as well as connect with people who understand you!  To attend, please sign up below.  Once your RSVP is received you will be sent the meeting link and access code to attend, please do not share the meeting link and access code with anyone. If you have any questions, send ASGNO an email at info@asgno.org.  If you are seeking a more support-group type environment for the serious life issues, check out their Autistic Adults support group. See all of ASGNO’s virtual programs by clicking here.

Sign Up Now

Hitting the High Points: An Overview of the Individualized Education Plan: Are you new to Special Education and about to experience your child’s first IEP? Or have you been questioning whether your child’s IEP is all it should be? This webinar will take a birds-eye look at this plan that drives your child’s education and services. We will talk about the purpose of the document, what it should include, who develops it, and how students can be involved in the process of planning their educational journey.

Presenter: Sharon Blackmon, FHF of GNO

Community Partner Spotlight: Minnie Addison, Children’s Hospital Adaptive Sports Program

Audience: Parents, caregivers, or professionals working with students with disabilities or special healthcare needs.

To register, click here. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

A Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans program

EarlySteps: Start to Finish – EarlySteps is Louisiana’s Early Intervention System that provides services and supports to babies and young children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. Join us as we navigate the EarlySteps process.

Presenter: Sharon Blackmon, FHF of Greater New Orleans

Host: Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans

Audience: Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals working with students with disabilities or special healthcare needs.

To register, click here. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Autism Society of GNO’s Caregiver Support Group (Encargado/Padre/Madre de habla español)

Se reúne el tercer martes de cada mes a las 7:00 p.m., hora central

Facilitadora: Stacy Badon

Organizacíon Anfitriona: Autism Society of Greater New Orleans

Descripción: Para muchos encarcado de personas con grandes necesidades de apoyo en el espectro autismo, la vida puede parecer muy diferente de las experiencias de otras familias. Puede parecer imposible esperar que otras personas comprendan sus experiencias. Este grupo de apoyo es un lugar para que los encargado compartan experiencias, obtengan información, consejos y establezcan conexiones con la comunidad. El grupo también es un lugar seguro para que los encargado se diviertan y hablen sobre todos los altibajos de la crianza de los hijos, así como sobre los problemas grandes y pequeños.

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The Bridge from High School to Postsecondary Services – In this webinar, we will assist you to understand the Individual Transition Plan (ITP) process as it pertains to postsecondary education and other related services. We will also provide an overview of programs and resources available to your child entering postsecondary education or employment.

Presenter: Sharon Blackmon, FHF of GNO

Host: Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans

Community Partner Spotlight: Lillian DeJean, Louisiana Youth Leadership

Audience: Parents, self-advocates, or professionals working with students with disabilities or special healthcare needs.

To register, click here. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Getting and Keeping Your First Job – Getting and then keeping a job for someone with a disability can be tough. This training will go over why work is important, challenges for youth, the labor market, disability disclosure, accommodations and more.

Presenter: Sharon Blackmon, FHF of GNO; Konstance Causey, FHF of NELA

Hosts: Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans, Families Helping Families of Northeast Louisiana

Audience: Parents, self-advocates, or professionals working with students with disabilities or special healthcare needs.

To register, click here. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Caregiver Support Group (English)

Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm and the 4th Tuesday of each month at 1:30pm

Facilitator: Stacy Badon

Host: Autism Society of Greater New Orleans

Description: Caregivers of individuals with autism face many unique challenges. Life can seem very different and distant from the experiences of many other families. It can be possible to feel that there is no way that they can ask for or expect other people to understand their experiences. This support group is a place for caregivers to share experiences, get information and advice, make community connections, and research opportunities for services and provision for their children. The group is also a safe place for caregivers to have fun and talk about all of the ups and downs of parenting as well as the big and small issues. Sign up below. See all of ASGNO’s virtual programs by clicking here.

Sign Up Now

Supporting Diverse Communicators in the Real World – Join an Occupational Therapist and a Speech Language Pathologist as they present strategies to support language acquisition for diverse learners. They will share how to use day-to-day routines to provide fun and motivating opportunities for increased communication. You will also learn about alternative/augmentative communication (AAC) and how it can support communication during language development.

Presenters: Maia Thibodeaux, Lisa Davison – LASARD

Host: Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans

Audience: Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals working with students with disabilities or special healthcare needs.

To register, click here. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Adult social group (18+ years old)

Meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at 6:00pm

Facilitator: Emily Davis

Host: Autism Society of Greater New Orleans

Description: The Online Social Group is designed to help reduce feelings of isolation and increase the opportunity for social interaction with peers as well as connect with people who understand you!  To attend, please sign up below.  Once your RSVP is received you will be sent the meeting link and access code to attend, please do not share the meeting link and access code with anyone. If you have any questions, send ASGNO an email at info@asgno.org.  If you are seeking a more support-group type environment for the serious life issues, check out their Autistic Adults support group. See all of ASGNO’s virtual programs by clicking here.

Sign Up Now